Feeding on substrate?

[Mo Deville]

hey guys, just wondering if its ok to feed snakes while their laying on substrate and will they swollow some substrate with wet food as it may stick and is it a health issue, i use critters crumble which is pretty soft, so would it pass through digestion or not and cause problems? :? i use newspaper but the snake rolls of the newspaper when feeding and i don't want to stress him out with too much movement at feeding time by putting newspaper everywhere as he is still settling in, he's one of those snakes where i have to feed him and cover the enclosure quickly as he lets the food go coz im there and does not eat. he fed for the first time tonight since i got him which im happy about but both my snakes rolled of onto the substrate tonight during their feed which is a worry. i can't put them in a feeding tub either as im worried they stress out and won't eat. Anyone else experience this problem or any ideas or should i not use substate? i'v heard its ok when snakes eat a bit of substate, but i don't know, has anyone had a bad experience with snakes eating substrate?

Cheers Mo​

 

[abnrmal91]

I use critter crumble as well. I just put newspaper down before feeding them. If you dry the good with paper towel less sticks to the food. If they eat a little bit it's not a issue. If the eat alot it can cause troubles.
Don't stress yourself to much. They will be alright.

 

[Mo Deville]

Cheers abnrmal!!!

 

[JackTar]

They normaly live in the bush mate and they eat a lot worse out there, if they are just getting the odd bit stuck to the food they will be fine.

 

[Raddy318]

best thing you can do mate is buy a storage tub or a click clack tub and place your snake in there when your feeding it, then whenever you stick your hand in the enclosure the snake dosent think its food.
some people disagree but i reken its the safest and easiest way to go.

 

[Red-Ink]

hey guys, just wondering if its ok to feed snakes while their laying on substrate and will they swollow some substrate with wet food as it may stick and is it a health issue, i use critters crumble which is pretty soft, so would it pass through digestion or not and cause problems? :? i use newspaper but the snake rolls of the newspaper when feeding and i don't want to stress him out with too much movement at feeding time by putting newspaper everywhere as he is still settling in, he's one of those snakes where i have to feed him and cover the enclosure quickly as he lets the food go coz im there and does not eat. he fed for the first time tonight since i got him which im happy about but both my snakes rolled of onto the substrate tonight during their feed which is a worry. i can't put them in a feeding tub either as im worried they stress out and won't eat. Anyone else experience this problem or any ideas or should i not use substate? i'v heard its ok when snakes eat a bit of substate, but i don't know, has anyone had a bad experience with snakes eating substrate?

Cheers Mo​

If your really worried just wait till it's on it's perch then feed it (they're JCPs after all)... but I'm sure a bit of substrate on the food ain't going to hurt it either.

 

[pythonmum]

Most substrate gets squeezed off during swallowing. I feed in the enclosure and have used sand, Breeders Choice, newspaper, paper towel and shavings with a variety of species. I have never had any trouble. I only have one snake that feeds in a tub because he lives with his 'mate' (they are kept warm and don't breed). If concerned, you could put in the food on a plastic plate, but This is not really necessary. Feeding in a separate tub is not ideal, because you must handle the snake when it has just eaten to put it back in the enclosure.

 

[moosenoose]

It didn't take too many times where i was trying to pick Breeders Choice out of my tiger snakes mouths with a toothpick before I changed back to newspaper :lol: This is perhaps the only time I removed my animals to feed them in a separate tub.

 

[Raddy318]

Most substrate gets squeezed off during swallowing. I feed in the enclosure and have used sand, Breeders Choice, newspaper, paper towel and shavings with a variety of species. I have never had any trouble. I only have one snake that feeds in a tub because he lives with his 'mate' (they are kept warm and don't breed). If concerned, you could put in the food on a plastic plate, but This is not really necessary. Feeding in a separate tub is not ideal, because you must handle the snake when it has just eaten to put it back in the enclosure.

you wait about an hour and everythings all good

 

[pythonmum]

It is not a problem with the guts of a spotted that I feed in a tub, but with a young snake or an iffy feeder, you could be adding to problems.