Attempt to feed while in shed?

[pigfat]

Just noticed my bp's eyes went blue last night and today is typical feeding day. Should I still attempt to feed him today? I'm sorry, I know that this has probably come up many times, but I looked everywhere for a thread and couldn't find one. I just hate to buy a mouse and then it not get eaten.

[Skittles1101]

Do you feed live?

I feed f/t, and I personally don't offer during shed, I'll wait until they shed because I used to offer, and had too many wasted rats so I stopped. They are usually ravenous after shed and eat with no problem. Not sure about live, but it may be the same. Offer it, if he'she doesn't take it then wait until after they shed. Or not offer if you choose, whatever you feel like.

[ballpythonluvr]

It is entirely up to you if you want to offer food while the snake is in shed. Just like LGray23 I do not offer food while my snakes are in shed because they usually won't eat.

[pigfat]

I feed live, so I guess I could see if the pet store would take it back, that way I dont have to find a place to keep a mouse. He has been eating like a champ the past three weeks so I don't guess it woud hurt him to go without food for a week.

[JLC]

Just ask yourself what you would do with the rodent if the snake refused it. If you have a plan, and don't mind dealing with an uneaten rodent, then it can't hurt to try if you want to.

But...it also doesn't hurt to just skip it and wait until the shed is complete. Whatever you think will work best for you.

[kitedemon]

There is a slight risk involved of feeding during shed. The old skin layer (the one to be shed) looses some elasticity and during the actual shed it can get hung up on the undigested prey item and that can cause all kinds of issues. It is super rare but has happened and has been documented. If you choose to try keep it small much smaller than a normal prey item and stick to early in the process rather than later. It is simpler just to skip.

[VEXER19]

I feed live because my girl just wasted f/t after f/t and I wasnt doing it anymore. My girl does eat live in shed though no problem. So your probably good to go but either way, its really just up to you.

P.S. Feed early in the shed cycle if you are to do it. Last time I fed in shed it was like 2 days before she shed and you could hear her shed cracking as she was eating the mouse. Mainly just the top half of her but it totally jacked up her shed and put it in pieces.

[Clint Bundy]

If the eyes are still milky mine won't eat. If they have cleared off and they are just waiting to shed mine will usually eat. I do try to avoid feeding while in shed though. Most of the time I skip feeding them that week and by the time the next week rolls around, WATCH OUT!

[pigfat]

Do you guys handle your snakes while they are in shed? Or do you just leave them be?

[Skittles1101]

Leave them be, why stress out a snake in shed if you don't need to? Your chances of getting bit are also increased during shed. I know my boa gets extra cranky when he's going through shed, he's albino so the only way to tell when he's going to shed is when he bites me