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Member Comment
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2/5/2010 5:17:17 PM
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JPG
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Some of my snakes will eat when they're shedding but then some of my others won't. It kind of depends on the temperment of the snake in my eyes. As for handleing, I really don't handle my snakes if they're shedding unless it is to feed or soak them. My kingsnakes hate being handled but yet my Boas like to soak, so they never mind me getting them out while in a shed (as far as i know). hope it helps
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Member Comment
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2/5/2010 5:19:51 PM
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rosesreptiles
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My corn snakes do not eat when they are going into shed. I think it's because they can't see well. They don't seem to mind being handled though as long as I don't surprise them. I usually wait until after they have shed anyway.
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Member Comment
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2/5/2010 5:30:46 PM
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thestef
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my snake has only ever refused food once, and that was right after I got him from petco and he wasn't shedding properly.. It doesn't really hurt them to feed them, Just offer them the food and if they eat it then great. if they aren't hungry or are bothered by the food they will ignore it.
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Member Comment
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2/5/2010 5:31:45 PM
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thestef
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didn't read the handling part ! sorry .. I usually don't handle my snake unless It is necissary, he's a bit more tempermental. it doesn't really hurt them, but i'm pretty sure they don't like it :(
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Accepted Answer
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2/5/2010 5:35:53 PM
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gfx
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Its not going to hurt them, but why bother. Most snakes are overfed anyhow so if they're blue, save yourself the money and let them go a week or two without food. As for handling, they feel like crap and act pissy so I tend to leave them alone to be grumpy. It won't hurt them to move them, the blue phase is not fragile, but it must itch or make them "hormonal" because many individuals will show signs of stress/aggravation if you mess with them.
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Member Comment
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2/5/2010 5:54:20 PM
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Damiens daddy ken
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I usually continue to feed my snakes when they are shedding,they will refuse food sometimes but it doesn't hurt to try.As far as handling them i usually don't unless i have to.For one some snakes get grumpy and your chances of getting bit are raised.Plus they usually just don't feel good and the more you handle them the more stress you can put on them.
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Member Comment
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2/5/2010 6:40:49 PM
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Assisted Answer
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2/5/2010 8:11:17 PM
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shellboa
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If you feed live you could go ahead and see if it will eat, if you feed stunned, P/k or F/t I would save you money and wait until it sheds.
As for handling, I try not to bother mine when they are blue but if they have cleared blue and need a soak, I'll pull them out to do that but other wise generally leave them alone until they are done.
It really is going to depend on your individual snake, the only other thing you might keep in mind is that they do tend to be a little pissier when in shed, they do have a harder time seeing so they feel more vulnerable.
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Assisted Answer
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2/5/2010 9:02:39 PM
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cmor1031
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Almost all of the time, my snakes still eat when they are in shed, and if it is feeding time and they are in shed, I still attempt to feed them. I only have one snake that has not eaten while she was in shed. I do not see how feeding them when they are in shed could be detrimental to their health and I have been doing it since some of my snakes were babies. However, I usually do not handle them when they are in shed unless it is something small, like removing them to change their bedding.
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Member Comment
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2/5/2010 9:42:04 PM
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Meezer
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I always offer. If the snake that's in blue won't eat, my Indigo or my Hognose will take it.
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Member Comment
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2/6/2010 7:55:48 AM
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TheaN526
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I offer. My first Corn snake Rogue did not want to eat in shed after having her a few months. I was way confused about that though..At the moment she usually eats in shed if it's a regular feeding day. I don't have a lot of refusals though. I handle in shed if I need to. They really don't seem to mind either way. I guess it's a personal preference based on your snakes.
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Member Comment
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2/6/2010 11:55:49 AM
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bsharrah
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Whether or not the animal will eat while in shed is a separate issue. To answer your question as to SHOULD you feed them, I would recommend against it. My animals behave very sluggish when in shed up to the point they are actually shedding, then they are very active in trying to remove the shed. I would prefer they not go through the process of shedding their skin on a full stomach and am going to assume they may feel the same way. We often tell people not to handle their snakes right after feeding for the same reason - because increased activity on a full stomach is rarely a good thing. If you feed smaller meals more often, you may not have an issue but as GFX stated, why bother. If you feed larger meals less often I would highly suggest you wait to feed until after it sheds, regardless of whether it will eat for you.
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Member Comment
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2/6/2010 12:56:19 PM
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tyharp21
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Its stressful on the snakes picking them up when there in shed. Also shedding takes energy from the snake. I wait until a couple days after there done shedding For them to rest before eating.
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Member Comment
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2/6/2010 2:47:31 PM
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aSnakeLovinBabe
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most of my snakes will still eat when in shed, even my BP's. If they don't eat it, I simply feed it to someone else who will!
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Member Comment
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2/7/2010 10:00:09 AM
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Kysnakeguy
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it depends my milk snake whan she was small she would eat wile blue and my python has never refused a meal it all depends on hunger,stressfulness of the shed,and a little opinion
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Member Comment
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2/7/2010 8:06:41 PM
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kykatie
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All snakes are different when it comes to feeding during a shed. I also think that it depends on, "their mood", how they feel (tired, allert, "under the wether", exc.) , and cageing conditions (humidity, temperature, bedding, exc.). I think it's best to just give them a gentle offer, and if they don't want to eat, don't force them . As far as handling during a shed goes, I beleive that it's a similar situation to feeding, just see how they feel, and mabey you can take them out for some socializing and maybe a nice soak. (-:
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Member Comment
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2/7/2010 9:44:44 PM
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Katie M
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it's honestly a snake by snake basis in my house. some eat and are handled fine in shed, some aren't. I feel that if a snake will eat in shed, I'll feed it in shed. just my two cents.
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Member Comment
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2/7/2010 10:24:23 PM
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Heathertoft
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The best way to answer this question is to ask it of the snake in question...i.e., offer something. :) If they eat, then yes you should feed when they are in shed. If not, then the answer is no. No harm in offering!
However I wouldn't reccomend much handling while in shed, since they might get stressed.
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Member Comment
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2/7/2010 10:45:45 PM
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racer
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when snakes go into shed mode it is very uncomfortable for them they are not in a good mood it is best to wait until after they shed to feed them. also do not handle them. they may eat but it is best to wait, less stress.
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Member Comment
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2/7/2010 11:29:34 PM
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Redic Retics
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Depends on the snake, my boas never eat in shed and the retics never Not eat, i think those guys would eat daily if i let them. Although snakes IFF is messed up in shed so i wouldnt advise holding them.
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Member Comment
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2/8/2010 4:03:20 AM
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BiggBaddWolf
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As a general rule I always wait until after they have shed.
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Member Comment
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2/8/2010 6:26:39 AM
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bsharrah
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Snakes, by nature, are opportunistic feeders. It is an inherent survival trait because, in the wild, they may not see another meal for several weeks or months. This trait drives the snake to feed even when it may not be the most suitable time for it to do so. Our snakes are not in the wild and although we can not remove this instinct from them, we have the ability to choose a more suitable time to feed them. Just because a snake WILL eat during shed doesn't mean you SHOULD feed them.
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Member Comment
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2/8/2010 10:10:53 AM
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JohnJohn
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I usually don't offer food if I know a shed is eminent. Most of my snakes won't eat when they're shedding and I hate to waste the food.
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Member Comment
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2/9/2010 11:54:20 PM
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danicat83
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I agree with the people that say don't bother. I think snakes like to be left alone while shedding usually. Plus missing a meal is not a big deal at all, many pet snakes are actually overfed a bit. I'd recommend just leaving the snake be until it is done shedding.
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Member Comment
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2/10/2010 11:35:12 AM
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dangles
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it all depends on the snake. none of my boas have any problems eating (or being handled) when in shed so i don't hesitate at all. i can't speak for other species, though.
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Member Comment
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2/12/2010 7:51:11 PM
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carnivorouszoo
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I feed on mondays as none of my snakes are quite ready to have their feedings pushed back to every ten days. So I handle them on Thursdays, Fridays, Sat and Sun as well as Monday. If they are in the blue I handle them just long enough to look them over each day to check the feel of the skin so I know if I need to adjust the humidity. I always offer feed on schedule, but then I have yet to have more than one refused meal. PLEASE NOTE I ONLY HAVE CORNS!
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