Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know this is a no-no, but I was wondering why? Are they using all their energy on shedding and so the food isn't properly digested or can they not poo or what? Sorry this sounds so dumb but I really had no clue!

Not a dumb question at all. When a snake is in shed, its eyes are cloudy and it can't see well. Therefore, it's usually more scared and nervous and secretive. That makes it so that SOME snakes won't eat, and others might eat but be so nervous that they would puke up their food. Some, on the other hand, will eat and do just fine.

People will tell you not to feed them when they are in shed because they will be fine going without food for that period and it might refuse to eat etc. Some of my snakes eat when "blue" others usually will not. If I DO feed a snake that is in shed, I usually try not to push my luck in terms of offering a large prey item. I have 12 snakes and don't always check them all before thawing dinner. So I may wind up with too much and offer a "blue" snake a meal.

Once a snake is eating well and settled in and fairly calm, I don't think it's a BAD thing to offer it a small meal when it is in shed. You will learn over time if that snake takes food and keeps it down during shed. But, like I said, folks will just say, "Don't feed them" because that's the way to play it safe.

You don't know unless you ask!
Duffy

Thats brilliant thanks. He was only just starting to be cloudy when I fed him about a week ago, but I haven't found any poo yet so was starting to worry that he wasn't digesting it or something.
Thanks for the speedy response!

is that if you feed them, they are more likely to shed right after that (at least that is how it seems to me). I have found sheds inside the feeding container with the snake numerous times. And I have also had a snake who had a bad shed right after he ate, so I had to consider whether I wanted to stress him out by soaking him with a full belly or wait the 48 hours to soak him.
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phflame
kingsnake.com host

Your snake will "go" directly after the shed. They tend to hold it until after the shed. My B.P. only goes 1-2 a month and one of those is directly after he sheds. Speaking of which he was shedding when I started this post and now I can smell it...
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1.0 Ball Python "Wilson" (Castaway)
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
0.0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Onyx"
0.0.1 Black Ratsnake "Molly" (Flogging Molly)

As we say in Missouri, "I ain't goin back to Missouri!"

My panic was apparently unwarranted as my snake shed tonight. Not only this but I saw the whole thing! Is very cool to watch and feel honoured that he was comfortable to start the process with me watching