iHerp Answers: feeding and shedding

iHerp Answers!

Problem?

Search Create an Account, It's Free!

Home > iHerp Answers > feeding and shedding

feeding and shedding

Posted By:

CrazyBall

In Relation To:

Baby Girl

Can you feed a snake while their eyes are opaque if they take it or no.....? don't beleive I've seen this one yet or asked it...Thanks guys


Points:	50
Topics:	General Health , Skin , Feeding
Tags:	Feeding, Shedding
Species:	Boas > Large Boas > Boa constrictor constrictor
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Member Comment

8/8/2009 12:16:03 AM

magsj387

You could and a boa would probably take it as well. The thing to keep in mind is the snake is going to shed. Some animals will go off feed when shedding but not all some of mine will take the food regardless. Take into consideration the conditions the snake will be in though, its going to be moving around and rubbing against things to brush that skin off, which could upset its newly settled meal and cause it to regurge(i've had this happen). You'd definitely want to avoid that, so I would say just let the animal do its thing and offer food once the shed is finished.

Accepted Answer

8/8/2009 8:04:39 AM

amarilrose

What Jim said about a snake having a regurge issue due to shedding is interesting. I've never seen that myself, but I'll take Jim's word on it.

Personally, I would say that the answer to your question is really very individual; some snakes don't care how deeply they are in shed, and will eat every time, while some snakes will avoid all food in shed even if they eat very readily at all other times.

All told, I think you can offer food, and see what response you get. If you happen to run into a regurge issue as Jim described (heaven forbid), then don't offer to that snake when it is in shed. Otherwise, just be prepared that it would be fairly likely that your snake may refuse its meal.

Member Comment

8/8/2009 1:13:40 PM

shellboa

I only have a few that WILL eat in shed so I usually just skip a feeding and offer after they have shed. Most of the ones that will eat in shed are corns BTW.

Member Comment

8/25/2009 7:37:07 PM

Crazy4Herps

I'd say f/t is fine, if she'll take it. Even my blood, who is a really aggressive feeder, won't take food pre-shed. However, as they have trouble seeing when they're blue, I would say no live food.

Member Comment

1/17/2011 7:04:10 AM

abi21491

This question has had no activity for 14 days and will be closed by an administrator unless the original poster takes action.

Recommended Action: Points awarded

An administrator will select responses and assign points at their discretion.

Original poster, please close this question out and assign points. If you have any further information in the resolution of your problem, please post it here so that others may learn from it.

You are not logged in. If you would like to participate (it's free!), you must log in, or Become a Member!