How soon after shed to offer food?

As I discussed in my last thread (was eating for 3 straight weeks, then refused) Deac, my Royal Python, refused a mouse when he was going into a shed cycle. Today (4/6/21) I found his sloughed-off skin in 2 pieces, with no pieces stuck to his eyes, tail, or any other part of his body. 2 pieces is ok, right? Or is it a sign of stress? My main question is: should I offer a mouse this Friday (his normal eating day) or is that too soon?

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Originally Posted by Jörmungandr

As I discussed in my last thread (was eating for 3 straight weeks, then refused) Deac, my Royal Python, refused a mouse when he was going into a shed cycle. Today (4/6/21) I found his sloughed-off skin in 2 pieces, with no pieces stuck to his eyes, tail, or any other part of his body. 2 pieces is ok, right? Or is it a sign of stress? My main question is: should I offer a mouse this Friday (his normal eating day) or is that too soon?

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That's what I typically do. I feed on Fridays too but don't even bother trying when in shed. Once I've confirmed the shed is complete, I just feed on the next regular feeding day.

First off, shed skins are a little like tissue paper- it's not hard to tear them, so don't bother "down-grading" your snake on whether he tore his clothes off, lol. "It's Okay!" ;)

Feeding him this Friday is just fine also- it's not "too soon". He might even think tonight would be even better, since snakes don't understand schedules, but it depends on him (individual snakes have their own personality & appetites), not to mention your willingness to stick with a firm schedule versus going rogue. It's up to you to work it out with him. :snake: