Feeding while Blue

[michieldewit]

Are you not allowed to feed while they are blue or is it just that they don't like to eat while they are blue?

Feeding day is saterday and one of my snakes I expect to have shed by then. but I think the other will still be blue. should I feed or just skip and wait 10 days?

 

[hikisquid]

When I first got Stig, I fed him when he was in the clear part of blue because I didn't know better. Nothing happened, but I think the snake might be at a higher risk of regurgitating their prey while in blue.

 

[Chip]

I don't feed blue snakes.

 

[So Pirate55]

I've heard people feeding blue snakes and not having any issues. Kind of the "if you can get them to eat, let them eat" idea, but I just wait til after they shed. It's usually doesn't throw the feeding schedule off that much, and why risk it if you don't have to.

 

[MysticExotics]

What I have found, is that often times snakes won't eat when in the blue/opaque phase, because they cannot see very well. Also, I have found a higher number of Corns regurge when fed in the clear phase, right before they shed. My thought on this, is that they cannot get the shed past the lump where the food is, so they regurge to finish the shed. I've only had a handful of regurges, & the majority of them have been due to this.
If I notice a snake in opaque phase, I generally do not offer food, because I do not want to waste food if they refuse. If I notice they're in the clear phase, I will offer a smaller than normal meal, so they still get to eat, just not as big of a meal.

 

[michieldewit]

Ok, thnx, I think i'll just skip feeding them till they are done shedding.

 

[kmonteith]

Ive had corns feed when in deep blue, clear phase, and even fed the day before they've laid eggs for me. I let the snake decide to be honest. If they don't want to eat they dont if they do they do..

 

[NH93]

I think it also depends on the snake and their size (and perhaps where they are in their shed cycle). While Sydney was shedding, I wasn't sure if she was actually going to shed or not and how long it might take. So I just stuck with her scedule. She ate normally, although it took longer than normal. She's also almost a year and a half old. I might not do that with a hatchling though.

 

[michieldewit]

well, they told me mine are 2 and 2,5 years old. but I don't really no for sure, they seem bigger than most 2 to 2,5 year old. (41" and 44").
Think I might still just skip it, don't like wasting food.

 

[obboi34]

one of mine feeds up until she is in full blue, the other stops a week before. depends on the snake but not worth discovering by wasting a feeder.

 

[michieldewit]

ok, little update,

one of them just shed and pooped right after. So thats great news, now I have one question. I took a good look at the poop and it looks like a normal poop but I did notice that I can still recognize the tail and feet of the mouse. is that normal? other than that his poop looks the same as any of the poop pics i've seen on this forum

 

[obboi34]

that's a little strange. all poop that i've seen is dark, often with hair, and has a white urate section attached. are the feet and tail still pinkish? i'd be surprised if they weren't fully digested.

 

[ladymagpie]

I don't feed mine when she's blue or in the clear phase, it doesn't do her any harm to miss a feed and she always gobbles a mouse down as soon as she's shed .

 

[michieldewit]

see, the poop was really dark with a large white urate beside it. some hair in the poop as well. just seemed weird that the tail and feet where still visible.