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Noob owner with a question...

rivernamir

rivernamir

Step down McFlower-Power
Ok,
so, I think I may have made my first mistake as a cornsnake owner. I have been feeding my little girl (hatched 10-31) every 4-5 days. Tuesday I was supposed to have fed her but I was busy with work and didnt get time so I went and fed her this morning. However, before I fed her I noticed that she had shed, (the first time since I got her on 12-12). I was thrilled and measured the skin (lol, 15 inches) and like I said, i fed her anyway. Did I just make a big faux-pas? I have read that the shedding can affect the eating but she didnt hesitate on that pinky at all. Not sure if this is a bad thing or not.

Also, does 15 inches seem a normal size for an almost 3 month old snake?
 
Nope, doesnt sound like a mistake to me.

Shedding only seems to affect eating insofar as before a shed, SOME snakes refuse to eat. I have a couple like that.
However, after a shed they act like they are starving!

If she eats, it's all good!
 
Welcome! Are you Kate or is your corn?

Anyway... no... you did not make a boo boo. The whole feeding while shedding thing is very individual snake dependant. Some will eat when in blue but not during the clear-before-shedding stage. Some will eat regardless, and some aren't interested from time moment they start to turn blue until after they shed. A lot are very willing to eat post shed, as that's kind of the routine in the wild. While blue they can't see very well and are vulnerable so the snake hides to be safe. After they shed, they're hungry and go hunting.

You can't go by the size of the shed, unfortunately, since they often stretch a good amount (I heard up to 30%) as they pull to get out of it. Growth is pretty individual, too. Just look at your snake. If you picture it's cross section and it is generally the shape of a loaf of bread (fairly flat bottom, flatish sides, and a nice rounded top) and it just generally looks nice and solid, it is in pretty good shape. When you handle it does it should feel like it has a nice muscle tone, not too 'squishy' and not bony at all. It'll grow as it grows and you'll end up with a healthy full sized adult whenever that happens.

Search on the term "Munson Plan" and you'll find a very useful feeding guide. Generally follow that, and your snake will grow nicely for you.
 
It's ok to feed a snake right after they shed. Usually, when a snake goes blue, he gets very reclusive and you probably won't see him until after he has shed. While some people go ahead and feed while the snake is blue, especially if you already have the mouse thawed out before you discover your snake is blue, others avoid feeding in blue because there may be some relation with regurgitation, and because the skin is in a more fragile condition. Some snakes eat while blue, others refuse. But after shedding and perhaps missing a meal or even two, snakes are generally happy to eat right after shedding and it does not harm them- there is no reason to wait for any length of time.
 
whew!

Thank you guys! I have to say I love this forum...never any hesitation with the help!
I am glad I did not doom her to indigestion with the post shed feeding. She had no qualms about eating the pinky!
Bruce- My snakes name is Kate, she is a baby snow corn.
She seems to be growing very well from the time that I got her. My friend is coming over tonight with the digital camera so in a few days when she has digested a bit, I will shoot some more photos of her to post on here.

Thanks everyone for the help!
 
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