Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi
My corn is a very good eater. He eats pinkies since he is a baby. his eyes look "blue" like he is close to shedding and he has been hideing a bit more in last 2 days.
Its time to feed him Sun (he eats two pinkies every 5 days). Will he eat when about to shed or should I wait ?
I usually put him in a plastic topperware with holes drilled in side with the pinkie . Snap the lid and leave him for an houre or 2 . He guzzles up two pinkies each time.
I dont want to stress him so should I wait till he sheds or its no big deal.
Thanks

My Corn Snake ate every time I fed him. It didn't matter what phase of shed he was in either. Contrary to what you might read, they can see better than you think they can when thier eyes are blue or opaque. Be more careful in handling during the shed phase, Remember, the old skin is beginning to seperate from the new one. Anyway, my guy ate every time. But then I could handle him without him reacting to me differently when his eyes were blue. If you notice he is jumpy or anxious when you handle him you might wait till he sheds to feed him. If he acts the same, give him the choice to eat or not. The last time Motega was going to shed, he only ate one of the weanlings I offered him. He just turned a year old on 7/22/05. Maybe as yours gets older he might reject food, but give him the option.

1.0 Corn Snake: "Motega"

Thanks for the info. I am going to do that .

They seem to be individuals, although most of mine eat regardless of what phase of shed they're in. Three of my fourteen will ocasionally refuse a feed when coming up to a shed, but none of them refuse during every shed.

I'd advise offering yours food regardless for a few months. If he consistently refuses whilst blue, then don't bother wasting the mouse. Some are very sensitive to being picked up or moved whilst blue, so this can put them off. Mine aren't bothered as far as I can tell, as long as I keep the moving to a minimum and they can smell mouse.

If yours eats - carry on feeding. I've never known any harm come to mine from eating whilst in shed. I had one a few months back who was put into the feeding tank, shed his head, ate a mouse then finished off his shed!

however I also have had several who have no problem eating then. One problem that I have encountered is that if the snake is close to actually shedding his skin, and gets into trouble (bad shed), then you have to make a choice as to whether you are going to soak him directly after he eats or wait for the 24-48 hours after eating to soak him to help him shed.
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sue