Shed Time Question/Confusion

[jack jones]

So this past Tuesday it was clear that my guy was going into a shed. This is the first one since I've had him. I didn't see anything of him for the remainder of the week, but kept his tank humid. Yesterday I lifted his hide and misted the moss in there a bit.

Now today he has been out of his hide and very active. I don't see any sloughing. Sundays are his usual feeding days.

So is he just hungry, still in shed and trying to slough??? I guess I'm wondering whether I should defrost a rat and attempt a feed. Just by way of information I am a feeding separatist (new term) who puts him in a different container to feed while I spruce up his digs.

Also, if I attempt a feed and it is rejected can I refrigerate the warmed rat and use it to try again in a few days?

[Hannahshissyfix]

I'd leave him alone today incase he's cruising for things to rub on and start shedding then feed tomorrow. There's no need to put him in a separate box to feed.

[GitaBooks]

Just before shedding snakes can look almost as good as after they shed. It may take a couple days after this for them to complete it, so just keep things moist and he should complete the shed on his own. After this he'll be really hungry and enjoy a meal, but feeding just before shedding may mess things up because a full snake doesn't want to be active and a shedding snake will be.

I hope this helps. : )

[jack jones]

Not more than an hour after I'd posted, I noticed that he went into his warm hide. I took that as an opportunity to both mist the cool hide and check. Sure enough, there was a complete shed in his cool hide. That would explain why he was active I suppose.

Tonight I fed him and he ate no problems. I have noticed that after he feeds he likes to cruise a bit before settling down.

He's six months and when I weighed him tonight was at 166 grams.

[KMG]

You created a new term for an old way of thinking.

Search the forum and you will find no reason to feed in another container.

If I can feed a 30lb Blood python, a 6ft BRB, and a GTP in their cage without issue it will work for your BP as well. However, like I said search the forum and you will see it is not the norm and not recommended.

[GitaBooks]

I'm glad it all worked out. : )

As far as feeding in the cage, we do the same thing. However, I do know that snakes will associate the opening the cage with food then, so make sure they understand the difference by avoiding their heads until they settle down. Our Corn Snake, Jack, is really nice and doesn't snap, but he sure will go after your fingers when he is hungry. We just reach in and touch his back and then he understands it is handling time and not feed time.

[distaff]

Congrats, that all is well.

My corn snake just completed his shed. He took care to the top of the head (with eye caps). I gently helped with the rest.

I really like that reaction from them when they figure out what you are trying to do, and work WITH you to get the shed off. When I pulled that last little bit off the underside of his chin, I could almost hear him say, "Yay!"

Time to vacume.
A rather late mouse is out on the counter for defrost.