Bigger prey = multiple sheds.

[marvelfreak]

So with my last order from rodent Pro i upped the size of food for most of my snakes. They had a sell on 2XL rats for a dollar so i placed a huge order which filled three boxes. I moved my Bloods, Yellow Anaconda, and Male Argentine Boa from 1XL to 2XL. All my Carpets from large to 2XL. The rest eat large except my WLP he eats small. The large they sent were on the big side close to a 1XL. I feed every 3 to 4 weeks as all my snakes are over two years of age.

Since eating three weeks ago my Savu Python has shed 3 times. Once a week. My male & female Argentine, Dumeril Boa, Bredli Python and Jungle x Jag have all shed twice.

I just found this interesting as i never seen it before with upping food but once i had a Burmese shed twice in three week after eating two jumbo rats after another didn't eat. So has anyone else ever had this happen?

[Aaron_S]

I've never experienced multiple sheds between meals but I don't feed as infrequently as you.

However, I have noticed larger meals will always trigger a shed cycle.

[Robin.M]

I experience this all the time, Chuck.

My snakes get fed a meal that leaves a noticeable lump, less frequently. My sub adults usually shed twice a month, and they eat every 3 weeks. I have one female who eats XXL every 4 weeks and still only sheds about once a month. But she's a big BCI at nearly 8 feet and 40 pounds.

Rob

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by Pure Boa

I experience this all the time, Chuck.

My snakes get fed a meal that leaves a noticeable lump, less frequently. My sub adults usually shed twice a month, and they eat every 3 weeks. I have one female who eats XXL every 4 weeks and still only sheds about once a month. But she's a big BCI at nearly 8 feet and 40 pounds.

Rob

Do you use a spade or do you have to go with something larger like an actual shovel after she eats?

[franks]

I just had this happen, with my IJ Jag, it was really weird. Chuck, tell me if you have ever heard of this: I am pretty sure my snake "double shed." She was at 48" and was nearing a shed cycle when I moved her up about 2 sizes. She ate, hid, and came out blue. When she shed, she looked much more brown than I have ever seen her, usually she is a solid yellow, especially after a shed. I was a little perplexed, but figured she was just browning as she was aging. A week later, she went blue again, then a few days later shed again and is back to a clean yellow. She grew 6" in this period.

[marvelfreak]

I have seen large meals trigger a shed cycle to, but never multiple shed cycles and in multiple snakes. For all of them but the WLP this was their biggest meal each to date. My Big Jungle Carpet and male Black Blood both had their first rabbit this last feed. It plumped them both up big time she shed but he didn't. I also noticed they are pooping more often. Normally i feed within a week they poop another they shed. This time multiple shed and poops. A couple have pooped three times. I wonder if this could be do to the 2XL being retired breeders that are fatter. Could the extra fat in the rats be making them poop more instead of their bodies digesting it?

[marvelfreak]

Originally Posted by franks

I just had this happen, with my IJ Jag, it was really weird. Chuck, tell me if you have ever heard of this: I am pretty sure my snake "double shed." She was at 48" and was nearing a shed cycle when I moved her up about 2 sizes. She ate, hid, and came out blue. When she shed, she looked much more brown than I have ever seen her, usually she is a solid yellow, especially after a shed. I was a little perplexed, but figured she was just browning as she was aging. A week later, she went blue again, then a few days later shed again and is back to a clean yellow. She grew 6" in this period.

This is pretty much what the one that double shed and the Savu all did. Only difference is mine all seem to get fatter than longer. My Yellow Anaconda had two of the 2XL rats as my Borneo didn't eat his. I swear he grew about 3 to 4 inches longer and got a 1/4 fatter.