eating while shedding?

First off, if this is a duplicate post, I apologize. I can't seem to find the answer to my question anywhere on here, but that doesn't mean it isn't here.

I have read that ball pythons get shy during shed, and my newly acquired python is doing just that. She hasn't come out of her hide for a few days and she is very dull in color.

My question is what to do about feeding during this time. I know snakes can go a while without eating and be fine, but I have her on a weekly schedule and feeding time is 2 days away but she doesn't seem to want to move and I know this can be a stressful time for snakes. Do I try to feed her as scheduled or wait another week until after shed? (Provided the shed is done by then, seems she's been this way for 4-5 days already)

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I would wait another week. She will be fine :)

I used to feed during shed so it can be done but there is a small risk every time you do it. There are stories (idk how true they are) about snakes eating during shed and getting their skin stuck in their mouth when they go to strike. So they ingest the skin with the prey. Again I don't know how true they are but why risk it you know? I just wait now.

Some will eat and some wont. depends on each snake as an individual. I have 2 females that will eat while in shed but for the most part it is most people leave them alone and dont feed at that time.

Ezekiel I think that is not right.

But you are right there is a small risk of when the shed starts if there is a not completely digested rat in the belly of the beast (sorry could not help myself :P ) the shed may not fit over the 'lump' and get stuck there causing stress. The worst case is that the shed starts to dry out and shrink tightening over that area and causing problems with circulation/ respiration that could become quite serious. Rare but has happened. It is not a problem for a snake to skip a meal or two, the risk of a skipped meal doing harm is less than a meal during shed. It is not worth taking a chance for something so trivial.

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

Ezekiel I think that is not right.

But you are right there is a small risk of when the shed starts if there is a not completely digested rat in the belly of the beast (sorry could not help myself :P ) the shed may not fit over the 'lump' and get stuck there causing stress. The worst case is that the shed starts to dry out and shrink tightening over that area and causing problems with circulation/ respiration that could become quite serious. Rare but has happened. It is not a problem for a snake to skip a meal or two, the risk of a skipped meal doing harm is less than a meal during shed. It is not worth taking a chance for something so trivial.

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lol, maybe that's what it was. I swear i remember reading something about that though. Either way im opting out of whatever "small risk" there may be :P

I just leave them alone until they finish. My guys are usually starving once they complete their shed and poop!

I personally don't feed during shed simply because I got sick of tossing out rats they refused. More times than not, my snakes refused during shed. Add on the fact that they want to be left alone, I choose not to ;)

Being that I feed live, I offer on the same scheduled day. Never had a refusal thus far but I can always save the rat/mouse for another day.

There is a small risk involved as stated. I personally haven't ever ran into that issue. I figure the snakes knows whats best a lot of times. If he/she doesn't want to eat, they won't. If they do, so be it.

Once I get everything swapped over to F/T or start my own breeding colony so that I do not have to go and get the rats, then I will probably start skipping during shed.

Just my experience though. It is 'recommended' to skip meals during shed.

I have a few that will eat whenever they are offered food. If they will eat during shed I'll feed them during shed. I have enough snakes that I don't worry if one doesn't eat. There is always at least one or two that will take an extra one....

I only have 1 that will eat during shed- she's a garage disposal though so it doesn't surprise me :)