Feeding after a shed?

[DawnTreading]

Hey all, I'm pretty new here. Just got my first snake ever, so I'm quite inexperienced. For the last few days my Tiberius has now been going into his first shed. I've looked through all the FAQs and stuff on the subject so I know pretty much what to expect.

However, my one question was what to do when everything is all over with. I know that you're not supposed to feed during a shed, so Tiberius hasn't eaten in quite a while (his scheduled feeding day was the day I first noticed his eyes going cloudy); it's been over 8 days so far (plus however much longer this shed lasts). So my point is, how much should I feed him after he sheds? Obviously I've been feeding him a f/t fuzzy once every 5 days. His first feeding after shed should I feed him two because he's extra hungry, or will just one do? Should I feed him more often or keep my schedule?

Sorry that was so long! ._.;;; hehehe

[kc261]

Congrats on your new snake and welcome to the forum!

I don't do anything different when my snakes are in shed. Most will eat pretty much like they normally do, but they do seem to be a bit slower about it. Sometimes a snake that is in shed refuses, or only eats one mouse instead of multiples. Whether they eat or not, I just offer the next week just like I always do.

However, if you are talking about mouse fuzzies, 1 mouse fuzzy isn't really enough of a meal for even a newly hatched BP, so I'd offer at least 2 per feeding, depending on how big your BP is.

[DawnTreading]

I was pretty confused for a sec, because 1 fuzzy definitely looks too big to feed a newly hatched snake, but when I looked around, I realized I must be feeding my snake a fuzzy rat. There's no markings on the box to tell whether it's a mouse or a rat, but a quick google search for pictures turned up what looks like exactly what I've been feeding him.

1 fuzzy rat is ok, right? It's what the pet store told me to buy, so...

[kc261]

I feed mice so I'm not as familiar with rat sizes, but I believe a fuzzy rat is in the right size range for a baby BP.

A good rule of thumb for BPs is that the widest part of the rodent's body should be about as wide as the widest part of the snake's body.

If you have a gram scale, you can also go by weight, feeding about 10-15% of the snake's weight at each feeding.

[SlitherinSisters]

Congrats and welcome to the site!

Most people, including myself, feed all their snakes on the same day regardless of who is or isn't in shed. In my experience I've never had a refusal because they were in shed, even in deep blue.

[BPelizabeth]

I offer food to my snake whether they are blue...in shed...just shed. Depends on what day their cycle runs. I have never had one refuse food yet. I have heard of snakes that will not eat while in shed though. You can offer and if he takes it there ya go

[DawnTreading]

ok, I'll remember that then, for his next shed, and just go ahead with feeding anyway.

But for now, should I feed him two rats, since he's missed two feedings? Or is it not good to give two rats in one session?

[dr del]

Hi,

No I would just give him the one as normal.


dr del

[withonor]

Feeding two now is more likely to cause him to skip a future meal than make up for a past one. I'd give him one and keep up your normal schedule.

[DawnTreading]

thanks everyone for the advice