Ball Python or part pig!

[kitedemon]

I have a bit of a question. My ball python is a bit of a pig when it comes to food. If I am lucky I can get his supper inside his enclosure before he strikes. I feed him a small rat ( about 10% of his mass) once every 7 days and he is 9 months old now. This week he was in deep blue, eyes and all. I figured he wouldn't take his rat and wasn't going to thaw one for him. When I was checking on things he was out 'hunting' blue and all. So I figured well we'll see. The little bugger took the rat he missed 3 times (he rarely misses) but got it in the end. I was a bit surprised that a snake so deep in shed would come out and feed, it was just a fluke that feeding day was when it was.

How many others have snakes that will feed shed no shed? How common is this, I really thought it was quite odd myself.

[rockwithsunglasses]

My BP eats during shed too though i've never seen him miss.

[Kaorte]

It is fairly common for a ball python to eat during shed. They are opportunistic feeders and if they are kept in good husbandry should eat very regularly, even during shed cycle.

My snakes will eat during shed about 75% of the time.

[Strtaylor]

4 of my 5 will all feed while in shed. And the 5th will if i drop her prey size down a little bit. My male pastel sounds alot like yours though. On feeding day he is at the front of his tub waiting and will come out of the tub before i can even get the rat near him. He is a beast though mid 09 sitting around 860 grams.

[A.VinczeBPs]

Most of mine eat during shed as well, though to help them out a little during shed I feed them a little size down. (my adults take large rats, so I switch to medium in shed)
I say if they want to eat, let them.

[BPelizabeth]

All of mine still eat when they are in shed. Though they miss on allot of the strikes they get it eventually. If you feed live...make sure you prekill while they are blue....this will make it easier for them.

Also I have found that mine are ferocious eaters up until 500-600 grams...then they seem to slow down a bit.

[unspecified42]

Some of mine will eat while in shed, some will not. If your ball is eating heartily- DON'T JINX IT!! lol

[Charlie And Lucy]

I have one that will eat anytime, anywhere, no matter what's going on. She's a pig (she was also only fed once a month, if that, before we got her).

My little guy eats on Tuesdays like normal in shed and out.

My big guy will only eat when he's good and ready.

[kitedemon]

I found it odd, it has never quite aligned up quite so perfectly. That moment when the eyes go blue and feeding day. He is about 520 gm I haven't had him out since his shed but that is what he was 10 days ago. Every body I spoke to about balls said oh they are really hard to get to eat properly. The problem I worry about is he will strike so far out of his enclosure that he will fall out. He is absolutely the coolest snake I have ever encountered! No problems at all and only benefits!

Thanks all!