Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all!

I am a fairly new snake owner. My Spotted Python is shedding right now & it happened that he started to shed right as he was due to be fed. Should I try to feed him now or wait till he is done shedding? Any & all suggestions are appreciated. I am just not sure if it would be worth it to try to feed him now, or if he'll be ok waiting till he's done shedding.

Thanks!!!
Blueyez

I do not have any experience with the same species as you but in my experience with other forms of pythons I have found the majority of them will not eat while they are shedding. I would suggest waiting until after the snake sheds and then feed him back on his normal schedule. If you are adamant about trying then go ahead if you are willing to waste a rat. I have had several burms that would eat anytime I gave them food. Anyway like I said if you are willing to possibly wast a food source than go ahead and try but I would honastly suggest just waiting until afterwards. Hope this helps a little, Todd

He will probably refuse a meal now if he is in shed. He will be fine until he is done. Right now it is important that he has the proper humidity to shed. Try a hide box with damp moss. This will prevent shedding problems.

Robert

>>Hi all!
>>
>>I am a fairly new snake owner. My Spotted Python is shedding right now & it happened that he started to shed right as he was due to be fed. Should I try to feed him now or wait till he is done shedding? Any & all suggestions are appreciated. I am just not sure if it would be worth it to try to feed him now, or if he'll be ok waiting till he's done shedding.
>>
>>Thanks!!!
>>Blueyez

...for the info. I have a hide that is supposed to hold moisture if you spray it down now & then but the moss is a good idea. If there is not enough moisture what problems could it cause? Would it take longer for them to shed? Or something worse?

A dry environment causes the snake to have difficulting in shedding. The snake more than likely will not be able to shed in one peice which could result in pieces being very difficult in removing as well as the snake retaining eyecaps. This will cause some tension and stress to the snake since it will not be able to see clearly. More importantly, some believe that a dry environment will cause the lung tissues to dry up a little and will make the snake more prone to RI's. I honastly do not know if there is any solid proof of the connection but from others experience it seems to me that lower temps do make them more susceptible to RI's.Do your best to get the temps up. They should be somewhere between 75%-85%. Hope this helps, Todd