newbie here and I need help (fast)

[VoxHoy]

Today is my feeding day for my ball python I didn't feed her last week because she was in shed anyway I checked her today to see if she was still in shed and she looked normal but got away from me and stuck her head trough a bar on top of her cage and she began to shed (well the skin started to rip off) and since her eyes are clear and she has started to peel will she eat? I wont be able to feed her until next next sat. if she doesn't eat today and also I don't have anything to do with the rat if she doesn't take it so what should I do.

[Wh00h0069]

First off !! I would wait until after she has shed, then put the rat in with her. Keep an eye on her though. You don't want the rat to try to bite her if she isn't going to eat it right away. If she doesn't eat it, then you could either keep it or take it back to where you go it. If from a pet store, then they will likely take it back, but may not give your money back. Hope this helps.

[butters!]

Today is my feeding day for my ball python I didn't feed her last week because she was in shed anyway I checked her today to see if she was still in shed and she looked normal but got away from me and stuck her head trough a bar on top of her cage and she began to shed (well the skin started to rip off) and since her eyes are clear and she has started to peel will she eat? I wont be able to feed her until next next sat. if she doesn't eat today and also I don't have anything to do with the rat if she doesn't take it so what should I do.

if your snake is beginning to shed right now just wait till its done.it shouldnt take more than a few hours tops.i had one a few weeks ago that shed in under 15 minutes.last week you should have tried to feed it,if it refuse it during a shed either freeze the rat or buy a little kritter keeper.most pet stores will give you a little bit of rat or mouse food if you ask them.i just bought a kritter keeper yesterday for 4 dollars got some free food just in case any of mine refuse i can keep the prey alive till next feeding time.one more note,there is a great picture tutorial on the shedding process in the husbundry sticky forum.once your snake turns dark or blue in color and the eyes get cloudy and blue its getting ready to shed.after about a week the eyes will clear up and the skin will clear up and you really wont be able to tell its in shed.after a few days of being clear it will begin to have wrinkly skin,once you see that its only about a day away tops from the actual shed.

[Michelle.C]

I always offer if they are in shed or not, if they don't eat, I offer it to someone else. Most of mine will eat once they've cleared up right before they shed. Like I said, It won't hurt anything, so go ahead and offer her a rodent.

[butters!]

uhhh,if i understand correctly the snake is actually shedding not in shed.and do not feed it if that is the case.just wait until its done.once the snake is done and you do try to feed,keep a really close eye because the fresh skin is really soft and vulnerable to bites and scratches.good luck!

[Michelle.C]

If the snake is actually sloughing, it should be done in an hour or so, possibly less. It should be safe to offer him the rodent this evening or tonight.

[butters!]

[VoxHoy]

thank you to everyone I didnt feed her yesterday because I had to go soon as I posted this and didnt make iit back in time she shed last nigh so I am going to offer her something today

[frankykeno]

Just a question here......"bars"????. What sort of snake enclosure do you have that has "bars" on it?

Also when you choose to live feed it's best to plan ahead for the feeder rodents. Occasionally you are going to get a refusal so a simple rodent enclosure should be ready to house that live prey animal so it can get food and water and be ready for when your snake wants it's dinner.