i have deffinatly noticed a difference when i feed during a shed cycle. either the lump stays there alot longer or the food gets rugurged. this hasnt happened with my ball pythons as far as i know(lumps are less obvious and they havent regurged) but it has with my corn and rainbow boa. you can make a choice whether you want to feed during shed or not. as you can see, people (including myself) have done it without a problem.