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View Full Version : is it ever a good idea to feed during a shed


AA23ds
09-07-07, 03:31 PM
My ball just started a shed. If I wait until it is over, it will be over two weeks from the last meal to the next. And the last meal was two+ weeks after I got him...and who knows how long before that he was fed.

Potentially, we're talking about a tiny ball python eating only one meal in a 30-40 day span. Is that ok?

Should I wait the 7-10 days for shedding to finish and then offer food, or should I try sooner.

Are there any circumstances under which you would feed a snake during a shed?

gonesnakee
09-07-07, 03:55 PM
I feed snakes all the time during shed cycles. Some snakes won't eat when in shed & others it makes no difference to them at all. There is no harm in feeding a snake that is in shed. The only issues at all is sometimes in baby colubrids that they will shed right after the meal & it gets caught up around their fat belly. When that happens I just help them roll it past their gut & finish the shed for them. Other than that there is zero issues about feeding during a shed cycle. I wouldn't thaw out too much prey for a snake in shed though as if it doesn't eat it could be wasted & use a smaller than usual item. Just make sure if it refuses you have another snake lined up that will eat the meal or risk wasting prey. Mark