shedding and feeding etc.

I am a little confused....

Our hatchling has been eating a pinky every three days. Is this too much? When do I decrease the frequency? (After reading about the fat snake I am a little nervous)

Also he/she (not sure) is getting ready to shed (again) and I thought that they would not eat around this time. Low and behold he ate last night. Does it just depend on the snake?

Bathing....How often and should it be done during the "pre-shed"?

Thanks in advance.
Kristin

Hi Kristin,

I feed hatchlings every 5 days, and then when I move them up to peach fuzzies and fuzzies I switch to every 7 days. There is no absolute right, and you have to chose based on your snake. If I think they want to eat more I give them two food items at feeding time.

Some snakes will eat when in shed mode, some will not. This is different for each snake. Either way is absolutely normal and nothing to worry about. If you know that yours does eat then you can continue to feed it as normal. If you know that your snake does not eat during shedding then save the cost of thawing out an item that won't be consumed.

As for bathing - again - personal opinion. I don't bath any of my corns, ever. I do mist the tank/cage during shed time though to keep up the humidity. Some people put in a moist hide box.

Hope this helps,

Skye

There is no problem feeding every three days as long as the snake doesn't regurge and as long as the snake is small (less than 36 inches). But, as soon as the snake gets larger, you will need to cut back to a more normal feeding rate (every 7-10 days or so) or the snake will become obese. Of course, if you are breeding snakes, then the females will be on a different feeding schedule than males.

Mark

Hatchlings can actually benefit from more frequent feedings IMO. They get past the fragile stage much faster and move up to the more nutritious fuzzy and adult sized mice.

Obesity is a concern for adult snakes and not the hatchlings.

i'm glad i used the search for this subject.my hatchling is a month old and i was feeding once every 5-7 days but he seemed uncontent looking for more food.i now feed a pinkie twice a week 1 on sunday and 1 on wednesday.he seems very happy no regurges etc..will stick with this schedule until i need to move up a size :0)