1st time female lesser is in shed

[dshem]

i just got a female lesser a month ago, she is now 5 months old. She looks like shes been getting bigger. So i was wondering can i still feed her while shes in shed in her tank or should i wait till she sheds out. Shes in a glass tank with aspen bedding. So how can i increase humidity. THanks

[ZiggyTheBall]

the most effective way to increase the humidity in ur tank is to spray it about two o three time a day....

[dshem]

is that bad since the bedding is aspen and get build up mold?

[ericzerka24]

Keep feeding. She may refuse though but thats not a biggie.

Its tough keeping humidity up with aspen. If I were you, I'd switch to something like cypress mulch. It holds humidity really well. Also, there is a sticky on here about aluminum foil treatment that really helps with maintaining humidity. Here is the link for it:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...tment-Tutorial

[Evenstar]

I'm sure other more experienced folks will chime in here, but there is another active thread here that talks about snakes eating while in shed. http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...Eating-in-Blue

You'll see that many many of our snakes readily eat while in shed, although there are some that don't. But there's nothing wrong with them eating, if they will, while in shed. Because you don't know what your snake will do yet since she's young and new to you, I would at least offer her a meal and see what she does. I'm guessing she'll eat...

And I mist my snake, who's kept on cypress, to boost humidity during a shed cycle. Because the cypress seems to hold moisture a bit better then aspen, that seems to work well enough. Both aspen and cypress are resistent to mold so that shouldn't be a problem unless you're soaking it. It doesn't need to be that wet. Some people like to give their snakes a soak when they are entering shed. Fill a small tub with about 1/2" of warm water - or just enough to come about 1/2 way up your snake's body if she's small - and let her soak for about 15-20 minutes or so. Don't leave her unattended.

Hope this helps!

[dshem]

I'm sure other more experienced folks will chime in here, but there is another active thread here that talks about snakes eating while in shed. http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...Eating-in-Blue

You'll see that many many of our snakes readily eat while in shed, although there are some that don't. But there's nothing wrong with them eating, if they will, while in shed. Because you don't know what your snake will do yet since she's young and new to you, I would at least offer her a meal and see what she does. I'm guessing she'll eat...

And I mist my snake, who's kept on cypress, to boost humidity during a shed cycle. Because the cypress seems to hold moisture a bit better then aspen, that seems to work well enough. Both aspen and cypress are resistent to mold so that shouldn't be a problem unless you're soaking it. It doesn't need to be that wet. Some people like to give their snakes a soak when they are entering shed. Fill a small tub with about 1/2" of warm water - or just enough to come about 1/2 way up your snake's body if she's small - and let her soak for about 15-20 minutes or so. Don't leave her unattended.

Hope this helps!

thanks but since shes not moving around much at night could that mean shes not hungry. I fed her last friday, n its been more then the 5 day feed schedule.

[Evenstar]

Well, how has her feed response been so far? Does she really hammer her prey? Does she come out right away when you get the mouse/rat out? Honestly, since she's only 5 months old, I would feed her. Do you feed live or f/t? If you feed f/t, then you might try the "zombie dance". The thing is, there is no harm at all with them eating even in full shed. You aren't going to hurt her at all by trying and since they expend so much energy shedding, she may get more benefit from being fed. If she doesn't eat, you're not out anything but the mouse.

And hiding may only mean that she's somewhat uncomfortable and/or grumpy due to the shed cycle and not that she's not hungry. If she's had a good feed response so far, she'll still probably come out and eat.

[dshem]

Well, how has her feed response been so far? Does she really hammer her prey? Does she come out right away when you get the mouse/rat out? Honestly, since she's only 5 months old, I would feed her. Do you feed live or f/t? If you feed f/t, then you might try the "zombie dance". The thing is, there is no harm at all with them eating even in full shed. You aren't going to hurt her at all by trying and since they expend so much energy shedding, she may get more benefit from being fed. If she doesn't eat, you're not out anything but the mouse.

And hiding may only mean that she's somewhat uncomfortable and/or grumpy due to the shed cycle and not that she's not hungry. If she's had a good feed response so far, she'll still probably come out and eat.

shes been in her hide for the whole day. Shes on frozen and her feeding response was really good she would strike. Now the past three feedings out of 5 i dont do the zombie dance since she doesnt strike. so i leave it out in the feeding box and she eats it slowly without striking. (so lazy).

[BMorrison]

My mojave girl hammers live adult mice when not in shed but as soon as she goes blue she wants nothing to do with it, so I have to do the pain thing and keep the mouse alive another 4 days-a week until she's done shedding. I know a lot of people's snakes will eat during or going into shed though. My male will. Hope this helps.