From Looking Dead to Perfect Shed

[Patricia]

Sounds like a song title, but that's exactly what my BP has done. I was expecting a shed earlier this week, so not only is this shed late, but Patriot has looked dead a couple of times this past week or so, and I really had to look for his breathing. (Thankfully, he ate fine last week.)

Usually he doesn't leave his hide for a full week before shedding, but this time it lasted nearly 2 weeks. Instead of his usual BP curl, I've found him several times kinda curled/kinda sprawled out, with his neck straighter than usual and head lying flat on the bottom. His old skin has looked like a grey net ready to come off for days, but nothing till today. He just didn't look normal.

Now that it's gone cold and dry, I've been battling to keep temps and humidity up for 2-3 weeks. I was expecting a bad shed (and yesterday was worried that there would be no shed at all), yet today he had his best shed ever! Does a perfect shed always indicate good husbandry?

My question: What effect does low humidity have? Does the snake not shed at all, or does it come off in raggy pieces? Does the snake shed later than usual, waiting for the humidity to improve? (Seems to be what happened this time.)

Now that he's shed and let loose a massive pee, he's out and about looking for dinner for the first time in nearly 2 weeks, like he's back to normal. Whew!

[Vypyrz]

My question: What effect does low humidity have? Does the snake not shed at all, or does it come off in raggy pieces?

I think it keeps the shedding skin from becoming too dry and brittle and allows it to come off easier. Think about when you have a peeling sunburn. The skin always comes off easier and with less pain after a shower. That's kind of how I look at it...


Rob

[Patricia]

Thanks.

Does anyone else know, or is this a bit of a mystery?

[Elise.m]

It comes off in pieces, and if I'm not mistaken a low humidity can cause a RI.

[Vilenica]

Low temps, low humidity, etc. slow down everything for bp's like digestion and ecdysis. So yes a 2 week shed process rather than a 7-10day is probaly from the effects of temp and humidity. And no a good shed is not a sign of good husbandry its a sign of good lymphnode function on the snakes end.

[Patrick Long]

So yes a 2 week shed process rather than a 7-10day is probaly from the effects of temp and humidity. And no a good shed is not a sign of good husbandry its a sign of good lymphnode function on the snakes end.

The OP never said the snake was in shed for 2 weeks. Only that it didnt leave its hide.....which could be NUMEROUS things.