Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is it ok to feed while the boa is in Shed?

Thanks.

Yes it is. Some folks don't and I won't if they are in full blue. I will if they just got started or are ending a shed cycle. The only thing that could potentially go wrong is if they rip their skin and lose moisture between the old and new layers of skin.

the vast majority of time that I feed in shed my boas have problems (with the shed). I have tried it around 10 times or so, off hand I believe about 8 of the 10 times yeilded poor sheds following the meal. So I dont do it at all anymore.

Personally I do not feel it is natural. In the wild a boa uses this time to rest. My boas also rest and seem to sleep through this period. I think its good to give them this fast.

I normally do with my other snakes, but I never knew if it was good for it or not. But now I might just leave it alone, don't want to stress it too much. Though I do give it baths while it's in shed.

I don't go out of my way to feed during shed, but I have found some that are starting their shed phase on feeding day those are offered food. Most will eat. I figure that if they are going to eat then let them. If they refuse then I wait.

I will say that I have never had a problem shed when feeding during a shed. I always have perfect donut sheds.

But I would like to add that it is probably better to wait until they shed before feeding. It takes a great deal of energy for the snake to shed, as well as digesting a meal. It may just be a little too stressful for some snakes.

Bob

Does a bath put too much stress on them?

I think that would depend on the snake. I would put a container in the enclosure large enough for the snake to soak and see if it will.

Physically putting them into a bath may be stressful, but then again maybe not.

Bob

I have never had a problem feeding during shed, if they take it I give it.

James W. Arnold

It is my opinion that as long as you do not feed the snake a large food item when it is well into shed, it will be fine. The only problem I have had it; I fed a snake a large food item while it was well into shed. The lump made it hard for the snake to get the shedding skin over the rest of the snake. I ended up having to help the snake get it over the lump and it was unharmed but It was probably stressfull so I try to avoid it now.

I personally don't like it, but I have done it on occasion and the sheds have come out fine.
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