Maximum body expansion?

[KephrenJorgensen]

So I just fed my ordie babes some chunks of banana slug, which was quite difficult to get into bite size pieces. And after feeding them their favourite food, they always go berserk so as to hide from me what they do with it. After my most aggressive eater took a chunk, he disappeared into the hide as normal, but came out with a bulge that looked much bigger than I thought possible. Im worried that it might be a piece of the substrate I am using, and I was ever so careful to monitor the feeding to see if any substrate stuck to the food, but when they are hidden you can only do so much other than feed them in a separate container, halfway through swallowing. I guess my question is how much can a snake a little larger than the girth of a pencil expand before causing harm? I examined and felt the bulge gently and it seemed hard, but soft enough to be the slug, as when I cut them into pieces the chunks go into a rigor-mortise state. I've learned that most of the time when it comes to keeping animals, it is always better to worry and do what is possible than leave it and hope all is well. What should I do from this point on?

[guidofatherof5]

I don't think there is much you can do at this point. Just monitor the situation, maybe give that snake a new home until you're sure things are alright.

[d_virginiana]

You should know by tomorrow or even later tonight. Something as easily digested as slug should break down fairly quickly, and you'd only be able to feel it shortly after being eaten. The substrate would probably still feel solid.

This is the exact reason I went to newspaper for all of mine. I had a scare where I thought my blind one had eaten a piece of carefresh that smelled like food. Looks kind of lame, but they don't seem to mind, and there's no worry about feeding time.

[Ruth]

This is not meant to be snarky or a put down it's just curiosity. I feed all my snakes in separate containers never in their enclosure. I notice a lot of you feed your garters in their enclosures and I was wondering why. I thought the risk of swallowing substrate was enough not to do this and also the possibility of snake tug of war

[d_virginiana]

This is not meant to be snarky or a put down it's just curiosity. I feed all my snakes in separate containers never in their enclosure. I notice a lot of you feed your garters in their enclosures and I was wondering why. I thought the risk of swallowing substrate was enough not to do this and also the possibility of snake tug of war

A lot of snakes feel more comfortable and eat more readily in their enclosures. Feeding in a separate container still doesn't work for any of mine, which is why I switched to newspaper. Though I never had any issues with one eating substrate until my oldest went blind. Then he started attacking anything that smelled like food (including substrate). I just liked the cleaning ease of the newspaper, and it cut down on dust, so I use it for all mine now.

[chris-uk]

This is not meant to be snarky or a put down it's just curiosity. I feed all my snakes in separate containers never in their enclosure. I notice a lot of you feed your garters in their enclosures and I was wondering why. I thought the risk of swallowing substrate was enough not to do this and also the possibility of snake tug of war

I've not had a problem with substrate, but I'm not about to get complacent. My I switched to Repticard as a substrate which seems like a much better bet than aspen if it does get stuck to food. I think I also feed smaller pieces than a lot of keepers, most pieces I feed can be swallowed quickly and easily, which minimises the risk of contact with substrate.
I've tried feeding boxes and most of mine aren't comfortable eating outside their own vivs. Even my infernalis are a hesitant, one will eat in a box, but the other two don't. My older snakes all seem to be learning that they will be fed more if they pop their heads up on the "doorstep", which keeps them clear of substrate.

[KephrenJorgensen]

From what I have seen later in the night, the lil bugger has digested most of whatever it swallowed, and looks to be back on track, no unusually large bulge.

I generally feed my snakes in their enclosure if they aren't comfortable eating outside of it. My three babies don't accept any food unless they are in their enclosure. They are generally pretty good when it comes to eating worms or fish. But slugs they just can't resist. They will sit and eat their food with manners, taking care to remove any substrate from their food themselves . . . unless it is a slug. When slugs are in their enclosure their accuracy improves, and they move faster. They move so fast that food fights aren't even an option. One of my babies (the one I was so worried about) ate nearly every piece of a 5 inch banana slug. My adult female will chase me around the house for slugs, its so cute.

I find that with larger snakes feeding outside the enclosure can be a must, as not to associate the hand in the enclosure with food. I have several friends who have had to learn the hard way. My friend's rescued coastal carpet struck at him every time he put his hand in/near the enclosure, until he started feeding outside the enclosure. Now he is much more cooperative to come out and play.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

I feed all of my babies in a separate container and hand feed my adults.

this is not meant to be snarky or a put down it's just curiosity. I feed all my snakes in separate containers never in their enclosure. I notice a lot of you feed your garters in their enclosures and i was wondering why. I thought the risk of swallowing substrate was enough not to do this and also the possibility of snake tug of war

[d_virginiana]

I tong feed my adults... I've never had a problem with them associating my hands with food, but if there's food around, they think anything that moves is edible.

[guidofatherof5]

I tong feed my adults... I've never had a problem with them associating my hands with food, but if there's food around, they think anything that moves is edible.

Typical garter snake move.