do you feed while in shed?

I always tended not to; it seemed stressful to them. But I have tried before, and the snakes sometimes took it, sometimes did not. I am just wondering what everyone else does.

No I do not. Mostly because of the very small chance of serious complications. I see no value in risking the health and well being of my snakes for no reason. A missed meal here and there is not a concern.

Depends on the snake. Some of mine won't eat, some will.

Nah mine's kinda picky, and I don't want to have to hold onto a feeder till she sheds.
They usually have a great feeding response after shedding, they must get hungry!

Yeah; this is what I figured. I will keep my old non-feeding-while-in-shed habits. Now this new normal that I have needs to shed! She's clearing up now; should be soon. :)

Depends on the snake and the stage of shed. Deep blue they'll only get offered if it's f/t.

i guess im lucky, i still have yet to get a picky eater, (knockonwood)
mine eat like little horses.

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Originally Posted by RoseyReps

Depends on the snake and the stage of shed. Deep blue they'll only get offered if it's f/t.

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Exactly this ^ :gj:

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Originally Posted by DooLittle

Depends on the snake. Some of mine won't eat, some will.

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Bingo. Each snake is different. But missing a meal here and there is perfectly fine. Once they blue, I typically just raise the humidity and leave them be.

I nevrr do, my YB will take while in blue though. The only reason i dont is for my records, i weigh when they shed so i try to make sure theyre as empty as possible. The minute i see pink i stop feeding.

Think you should've specified "Do you feed live while in shed?"

Because I do F/T and offer every 5 days, if they take it great, if not its no biggy. But I can totally see how having impaired vision would be a reason not to feed live during shed.

I feed while in shed, f/t, unless they are notorious non feeders when in shed. Most of my snakes do well eating regardless shed or not.

My boys won't, but the girls will definitely go for it in blue.

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BPs don't need vision to feed. Blind and eyeless BPs feed just fine.
They mainly use their heat pits and sensory to detect prey.

But anyway, I don't feed in shed. I used to, but not any more.
Some of my snakes will take them, but most will not. It doesn't hurt the snake to wait a few days for their meal.

I feed f/t, so snakes that are shedding get offered their meals first. If they don't want to eat, one of the less picky boas or king snakes will happily chow down. If a shedding snake does eat, I just need to warm up another rat for one that isn't shedding.

Feeding in shed isn't a problem with many of our animals as we prescient the room so it makes for super strong feeding responses in most of the animals.

I feed my snakes live on the same day every week and sometimes they are in shed. They dont seem to habe a problem and eat just fine at all stages of shedding.

I used to, but stopped a while back. Once I see them going into shed I won't offer. I just let them relax.:gj:

Depends on the snake, usually no, but I'll offer with some if I'm feeding everyone anyway.

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My boy eats like a champ when in shed however I've never seen his eyes cloudy. All I see his color is a little dull then next thing I know there's his old skin in a pile.

I always had a goofy theory that feeding them while in shed could make the shed more difficult. Kind of like trying to take a tight shirt off after a big meal. This is really the reason that I did not feed while in-shed.

I offer to all of them even in shed. Only have one who refuses while in shed, hes also my only f/t eater also a mouser. My others eat live rats and havent refused yet.

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Originally Posted by Ginevive

I always had a goofy theory that feeding them while in shed could make the shed more difficult. Kind of like trying to take a tight shirt off after a big meal. This is really the reason that I did not feed while in-shed.

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Not goofy or a theory. There are members here that have had snakes become trapped in a shed after feeding and there has been related deaths as well. There is nothing goofy at all, the Barkers (VPI) have written on the hazards. My vet has seen that and recently I have had the frantic call as well.


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Wow, really? I guess that it's not a dumb theory, at all. I feel that I will keep refraining from feeding while in shed.

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

Not goofy or a theory. There are members here that have had snakes become trapped in a shed after feeding and there has been related deaths as well. There is nothing goofy at all, the Barkers (VPI) have written on the hazards. My vet has seen that and recently I have had the frantic call as well.


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Mind posting links to your information? Backing up fear mongering is a must.

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Sure, as I posted earlier it is uncommon rare even but it has happened and the risk needs to be weighed against benifet. My feeling is easy there is no benifet at all, a skipped meal or two will not have a negative effect on the snake at all. Zero gain, so any unnecessory risk however small is not worth the gain.


member here,
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ling&p=1614348

BALL PYTHONS: History, Natural History, Care & Breeding, by David G. Barker & Tracy M. Barker. (exact page, I don't have in front of me at this moment)

I hope that will do, the Barkers are one of the most respected breeders in the community they have appeared defending US reptile keepers in federal hearings.

I am not fear mongering just passing facts forward so members may make their own informed decsions.