Feeding while in Shed

[Pythline08]

Hey i was just wondering what people thought of feeding your python while it is in the shed process ( milky eyes, about to shed)

Thanks
Simon

[Matthew Burgess]

its best to leave the snake alone whilst in shed, wait until after it has shed then feed, some will say yeah feed, but in my opinion its best to wait.
cheers

[pythonrockchik1]

I agree, best wait til after a shed. Most snakes will refuse a feed whilst in the midst of a shed anyways.

[Trouble]

Do not feed whilst in shed!
The snake is shedding cause it has grown out of its old skin and when you feed them the new skin will stretch. but the old skin wont cause its dead and about to come off, and it will constrict around the food item and suphocate (sp?) the snake.
Thats what my breeder told me when I got my 1st snake, so I'm just following his advice.

cheers
Trouble

[Helikaon]

lol you can feed during shed if the snake will take it, the snake doesn't usually take it though, if you are drastic to feed it feed it when the milky eyes go clear just before shedding it will usually take it then but you may as well just wait. if you keep the snake well and the humidity is right then a lump in your snakes stomach will not affect shed as the old skin is just as stretched as the new, remember that old skin used to get stretched during feeding to. but if your snake has dry skin then there is a possibility during the shed process that it will catch on the lump and you will have to assist with the process. though yes i would suggest just waiting for it all to be over with and then throwing it a feed.

[Chimera]

Originally Posted by Trouble

Do not feed whilst in shed!
The snake is shedding cause it has grown out of its old skin and when you feed them the new skin will stretch. but the old skin wont cause its dead and about to come off, and it will constrict around the food item and suphocate (sp?) the snake.

Then I have a zombie Diamond.

He ate halfway through a shed (was in a feeding bin, started shedding and grabbed the rat I had before I could even notice it).

All hail the undead python

[JasonL]

My womas and half my stims/childrens will eat readily at anytime through a shed, don't let a milky eye get in the way of a good scarffing

[boa]

It makes no difference to most of mine, if they are due for a feed they will feed regardless of whether they are due for a shed or not. The ONLY possible problem would be if you fed the snake something too big and the old skin couldn't get past the lump.

[wicca4life7]

my jungle eats while shes in shed. she doesnt care she just likes food i think. it doesnt cause any porblems she still has a perfect shed every time.

[BooBoo]

Originally Posted by Trouble

Do not feed whilst in shed!
The snake is shedding cause it has grown out of its old skin and when you feed them the new skin will stretch. but the old skin wont cause its dead and about to come off, and it will constrict around the food item and suphocate (sp?) the snake.
Thats what my breeder told me when I got my 1st snake, so I'm just following his advice.

cheers
Trouble

I would question that breeders knowledge. One of mine eats milky eyes and all. Ive never heard of a snake strangling on food when shedding before.

[JungleRob]

I have a hatchy diamond that ate a fuzzy mouse over the weekend and shed on Monday. The shed got stuck at the bulge of the mouse and I removed it myself. (it would have come off eventually if I didn't)
As to it causing any harm, I don't believe it does.
Take a snake in the wild for example. If it happens to find a prey item a day before it's going to shed, I doubt it'll turn it's nose up at it.

[Aslan]

I have had the occasional feed taken during a shed cycle - no issues - certainly no dead snakes - perhaps think twice before receiving advice from that breeder again...

In general I don't waste my time offering during a shed cycle though as they don't take it...

[snakecharma]

hey there all

most of my pythons will eat during shed and i say if it wants to eat let it if it refuses food then wait untill it has shed and then try again

i do see any harm in a snake eating during sheding they are opertunistic feeders in the wild and dont see them knocking back a meal if one was to present itself purely on the basis that they are about to shed

just my opinion though

[hozy6]

yeah i dont see y because they dont usally eat during a shed cycle but if they do i dont think that it will harm your snake certainly not kill it

[Whisper2]

the only problem i have found with milky eyes is that they cant see where they are striking........
be ready for the blood
: )