Do I feed pre shed?

[monk90222]

Hi,
I am a new ball python owner (1.0 normal) (I got her 3 weeks ago) and she has eaten every thursday for the last 3 weeks (1 large mouse) and now her eyes are blueish ( i guess she will shed in about a week) my question is: Do I continue feeding as usual? or do I hold off until the shed is complete? Thanks
Charlie

[ddbjdealer]

Do I continue feeding as usual? or do I hold off until the shed is complete?

All you can really do is try. I am currently in possesion of 5 BP's, and they all pound food like its going out of style all the time. If you get a refusal, just feed post shed. (Its also good to stay on the same feeding day to establish routine) If your BP doesn't eat today, then try next Thursday, if not, then try again on the following feeding day.

From what I hear from others that own multiple BP's, there's quite a variance in BP's that will eat in shed... so all you can do is try!

Also, keep in mind that the blueish coloration is caused by a fluid that is inbetween the eye and the scale (eyecap) that covers the eye. BP's already have horrible vision, and now yours has a "murky" layer of fluid further obscuring its vision. Don't be shocked if it's super jumpy during these times. While I feed during sheds, I never handle while they're in blue.

Good luck!

(DISCLAIMER: This is just my way... and if you don't like it.... try somethin else! )

[frankykeno]

I'd go ahead and offer and see if she goes for it, some will, some won't.

Quick question...is it a she or a he...got confused when you called it a she but then a 1.0 which is a he LOL (either I read that wrong or it's too early and I have way too much blood left in my caffeine system!)

Best of luck with the shed!


~~Jo~~

[jglass38]

Some of mine will and some won't. In my experience, they are less likely to take the food when they are in "blue" but most often accept it a couple days later when their eyes clear. Remember, they won't starve if its a couple days or a week later.

[monk90222]

Oops..I guess its 0.1 for a girl..sorry!!

Thanks for all of the advise, as I said I am new at this and need all of the help I can get!!

[jglass38]

You came to the right place! There are some smart folk around here (present company excluded!)

[sirhissball]

If she'll take her food, then by all means, feed her. I will say this; when mine has the blue eyes, he'll strike wildly when he smells his mouse, I imagine he can't see the thing very well, you will want to take extra care that your girl can't get to you (use tongs). Also, I heat my mice a little with a hair dryer (10-15 seconds on super hot) making sure the head is extra warm...this really helps induce a strike, and I suppose would be especially helpful to a snake who can't see anything because they are in blue.