feed during shed period

[nulltron]

yo dudes

can i feed my cornsnake during shed period or i shall wait till change his skin?

Its acceptable to disturbed for food ?

 

[RobbiesCornField]

I normally do a prey item that's a little bit smaller. But that's just me. There are people that do it, and people that don't. Offer it, and if your snake doesn't take it, don't push the issue. Wait until it sheds.

 

[Blue Apple Herps]

I don't see any reason to offer something smaller, but if that works, then great! Like was already shed, offer it. Most will take it in my experience, a few won't. The ones who don't, no worries so long as they start eating after they shed.

 

[Weebonilass]

I offer on schedule, only the Sunglow will sometimes refuse when in blue, but not always so I still offer even to him.

 

[krtemt]

I waited to feed my snake till his eyes went uncloudy, he hasnt shed his skin yet, an he ate it

 

[Ceridwen]

Both my snakes (spotted python and cali king) will eat when getting ready to shed. I offer and if they want it, they can take it, if not they can wait for the next scheduled feeding.

 

[norm]

I haven't had a snake refuse food when it's time. Whether in blue or not.

 

[Cam5]

I think it depends on the person and the snake.

Our Anery A (now deceased) never ate at any point during the shed process.

Our '07 Hypo Charcoal eats anything anytime...but both times he ate during blue he had oncomlete sheds...right after the food bump the old skin stayed on and had to be 'dealt with'. So I do not offer him food in shed anymore.

Our '07 Caramel is never interested in eating during her shed either. But she'll go for anything once that old skin is off

 

[Widget]

As you can see, most people at least offer. If I know mine are in a shed cycle then I wait until after they've shed to feed them. If I've already thawed the mouse then I offer it, some eat some don't.

As with most advise, your mileage will vary.

:cheers:

 

[FunkyRes]

I don't usually feed in blue, though most will eat.
Eating in blue is slightly more likely to result in regurge with young snakes, and I like to give their digestive system a rest. Maybe it doesn't need a rest - but there is an advantage.

Once they have shed, having skipped a meal (or two but rarely) - I can get an accurate weight w/o weighing what is about to be pooped.

 

[Weebonilass]

I don't usually feed in blue, though most will eat.
Eating in blue is slightly more likely to result in regurge with young snakes, and I like to give their digestive system a rest. Maybe it doesn't need a rest - but there is an advantage.

Once they have shed, having skipped a meal (or two but rarely) - I can get an accurate weight w/o weighing what is about to be pooped.

I'll admit that seven snakes is not a large population, but the only regurge I've had in seven years was when I tried to push my current littlest one on a 4 day schedule instead of every 5 days. I've also never had an incomplete shed during to feeding in blue.

Funky, what advantage do you think there is? As far as I know there is no scientific research that says their digestive system needs a rest, so that can't be considered an advantage.

 

[FunkyRes]

The advantage is an accurate weight - since corns can eat a relatively large percentage of their body weight, and poop a relatively large percentage of their body weight, the weight can be higher than real if weighed at other times. That's the advantage I was referring to.

With respect to giving the digestive system a rest - no, I don't know of a study that says it matters. It doesn't hurt though.