Handling Immediately After Shedding

[teana]

I have have a friend that has had her boa for a year. She has been told she should not handle or feed her snake immediately after she sheds. I have had at least one boa in the house over the last 3 years now and have handled and fed my snakes right after shedding before. I have not had any kind of problems with doing this. Has anyone else heard of this, or is it just a myth ???

[sclark]

Re:Handling Immediately After Shedding

Hello Teana,

Welcome to the forums..

During shed and 24 after a snake sheds, the fluids it uses to weaken the old shed are still on the snakes new skin. Although I have never had a problem with feeding or handling the skin shorlty after a shed, it is possible to damage the snakes new skin if not handled carefully. 24 hours after the snake sheds it is more prone to cuts and skin abrasions.. If done carefully and not rough you shouldn't have a problem..

Hope that helps...
Steve

[teana]

Re:Handling Immediately After Shedding

Thank you for the info. My friend doesn't have too much experience with snakes at all. I've been filling her in on what I know. I just wanted to make sure I have as much information as possible also. That way I can better take care of my 4 snakes, while also helping her out with hers.

[WeLsH]

Re:Handling Immediately After Shedding

I don't hold my snake for a day after she sheds because of what Sclark said and also shedding is a stressful time for the snake so I like to let them be for a day and let them relax.

[sclark]

Re:Handling Immediately After Shedding

Hey Welsh,

Thats not a bad pratice at all.. I think mostly I do the same, but I have 19 snakes right now, its hard to hold each one everyday.. But I try..LOL
Steve

[WeLsH]

Re:Handling Immediately After Shedding

lol, well that does put a damper on things.
19 snakes... whewwwww man thats alot.
I think the most I ever had at one time was... humm let me count-

2 corn snakes
1 RTB
2 tegu's
1 bearded dragon
1 Lep. gecko

and that was enough work, mostly because they all needed diferent care, but 19 snakes is a s4.gif load.

[sclark]

Re:Handling Immediately After Shedding

Yeah but your Lizzys take more upkeep that 19 snakes.. You have to feed daily atleast..)

Steve

[WeLsH]

Re:Handling Immediately After Shedding

Yea that is true, keeps me fit and always active. But right now all I have is a tegu and my same RTB. But I will be getting a second Tegu soon and a pastel boa also. Its all about the money, thats the only thing holding me back.

[redtailedmel]

Re:Handling Immediately After Shedding

MONEy thats whats holding me back if i had more money id probably have 19 snakes too lol

[___LEE___]

Re:Handling Immediately After Shedding

yea if i had the money i would probably be considered a zoo of reptiles!!! LOL

[sclark]

Re:Handling Immediately After Shedding

Well guys remember I didn't get these snakes all in over night..LOL.. % of these snakes have been with me over a year and 2 are rescues that came in 3-4 week ago.. But I will be the first to admit, reptiles can be sooooo addictive, and it doesn't help to have a wife that says, OK to everything I tell her I want..LOL

With in the next couple of weeks I will be down to 15-16 snakes...

Steve