Feeding while "in the blue"

[jmitch]

I would recommand feeding her in her cage when she is that deep into the shed process.

[kitedemon]

There are risks associated with feeding during shed cycles. Although not common it can and has happened, the prey item after ingestion is not as flexible as the rest of the snake. The skin being shed is not as flexible as the new skin (why it sometimes looks wrinkly during the shed process) the partially digested rat can pose a 'road block' and the skin during shed can get trapped at or above the rat in the snake. The snake may not be able to get the shed over the thicker area, shed shrink as they dry out (measure a fresh one and then again dry) this shrinkage compresses above the stomach that is likely to cause stress at the very least perhaps need intervention and at the worst restrict blood flow from the heart to lower body, that would be bad.

The benefits of one or two meals are minimal and any risk no matter how remote over shadows the benefit seen by a meal or two. If the animal was small and suffered lots of weight loss it might be different but in a normal health animal a missed or postponed meal will make no difference so any risk is unacceptable to me.

[snakesRkewl]

.....edited to be nice...

[kitedemon]

complain to Dr. Klingenburg whom noted it and the Barkers whom repeated the same advise. They know better than I do, I am just passing along the opinions of experts, it is not my experience.

The risk is slight but is is still there, failure to mention there is a risk no matter how slight would be irresponsible of me.

[Kyle S.]

There are risks associated with feeding during shed cycles. Although not common it can and has happened, the prey item after ingestion is not as flexible as the rest of the snake. The skin being shed is not as flexible as the new skin (why it sometimes looks wrinkly during the shed process) the partially digested rat can pose a 'road block' and the skin during shed can get trapped at or above the rat in the snake. The snake may not be able to get the shed over the thicker area, shed shrink as they dry out (measure a fresh one and then again dry) this shrinkage compresses above the stomach that is likely to cause stress at the very least perhaps need intervention and at the worst restrict blood flow from the heart to lower body, that would be bad.

The benefits of one or two meals are minimal and any risk no matter how remote over shadows the benefit seen by a meal or two. If the animal was small and suffered lots of weight loss it might be different but in a normal health animal a missed or postponed meal will make no difference so any risk is unacceptable to me.

I did not know that, thank you for at least making me aware of that possibility

[kitedemon]

Sure no problem I don't think it likely but there is very little for a healthy animal to gain from a missed or postponed meal. I usually just feed them shortly after the shed is complete, ignoring feeding day schedules.

[snakesRkewl]

If one single person can back up that claim Kinra, never mind, won't happen...

[kitedemon]

If one single person can back up that claim Kinra, never mind, won't happen...

Some snakes will eat during a shed however late in a shed the old skin becomes less elastic and if a large meal was offered the snake may not be able to get the shed over the meal lump and that can lead to all kinds of issues. Generally I don't offer during a shed and if I was too I'd go very small. It is not common at all but it has happened.

I had this happen with my pastel, ever since I take them off food as soon as they turn opaque. He ended up with this tight band of skin right above his stomach, that I had to cut off he ended up very stressed, and I ended up helping him finish that shed.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ling&p=1614348

[snakesRkewl]

That does it, I will never feed my snakes in shed again

[kitedemon]

Jerry,
I am not trying to be a jerk I can be abrupt sometimes I am sorry for that. I felt since I remembered someone having that rare issue and have read about it from reliable sources it was worth mentioning. Nothing more, I didn't really want to argue with you I know we have butted heads but I hope that you feel as I do that it is not malicious or for arguments sake, but just a disagreement of minds.

Alex

OP if you choose to feed during shed feeding somewhat light would likely by pass the whole thing. In my case I don't bother offering mostly because only few of mine are likely to feed during shed anyway, it would likely just be a waste of a rat.