How to Feed a Shedding Snake
Snakes make fascinating pets and, while these predators can be beautiful and friendly, during shedding time, they can get aggressive and snap at you. Snakes usually stick to a fixed feeding routine that ranges from once every week to every couple of weeks. Sometimes, feeding a snake can fall during one of the few shedding times your snake goes through yearly and it's important to know how to safely feed your snake to avoid injury to yourself or your snake.
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Instructions
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Select the right size dead prey. If you've had your snake for a while, you should be able to guess which size is right, but a general rule is that prey should be no larger than your snake's thickest body area. Also since snakes have vision problems during shedding, dead prey will make them feel less threatened.
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Pull back the lid of your snake's cage to allow for a small slit or area to drop the food in. Since snakes can be very aggressive when shedding, it's important that you limit your contact as much as possible.
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Drop in the prey near your snake if possible but away from his water. Use long tongs or a long-handled to lower the prey somewhere near the snake and avoid dropping it in his water. Do not stick your hand into the cage as this can lead to a painful snakebite.
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Let prey sit overnight with your snake to give him time to find it. If the prey is still there in the morning, use long tongs or a long spoon to lift it out. Do not let prey just sit and rot in the cage as this can lead to health and cleanliness issues for your snake's habitat.
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Tips & Warnings
If your snake doesn't eat the prey, don't worry, as snakes generally don't like eating during their shedding. Wait for shedding to finish and start your regular feeding schedule after. If your snake still won't eat, make an appointment with your veterinarian to ensure there isn't an underlying issue.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
