Early signs of impending shed?

[fishmommy]

I did read the EXCELLENT article in this forum about the shedding process.
But are there even earlier signs that the cycle is about to start?

my young BP today seemed much more inert and secretive than usual. There are no physical signs yet....maybe he's just a tad darker? Maybe his skin folds a little differently and is less supple? could easily be my imagination!

I have had him about 5 weeks and he has gained about 35 grams....
Anyway, was just wondering if this could be time to shed?
Humidity right now is about 60% in his tub. I'm prepared to start misting as soon as I see a definite sign *spastic new snake owner freakout time*

[lillyorchid]

Yes you will see that most will darken up a good bit before going blue or that there bellies have a slight pinkish color.

[tigerlily]

I also notice a significant decrease in activity prior to shed, in addition to all the physical signs.

[fishmommy]

he doesn't have any pinkness nor are his eyes at all cloudy,

but do you think I should stop handling him at this point and just wait?

[rabernet]

I've had Winston for six weeks, he's gained about 150-200 grams and is just now in blue. I'm not sure if 35 gram weight gain is enough weight gain to trigger a shed or not?

[fishmommy]

wow! how do you get him to grow so fast?

[rabernet]

wow! how do you get him to grow so fast?

He adores his mice - he eats two small mice a week.

[fishmommy]

mine is eating a mouse every 5 days

it's possible I screwed up the weigh-ins (first weight was taken before peeing, second weight taken a few weeks later after peeing)
so he might have gained more than that

[sw204me]

does feeding them more just make them grow faster or does it also make them grow bigger over all?

[tigerlily]

An animal can only use so much of the nutrients in a prey item. The rest will likely get dumped in the next bowel movement. Feeding them above and beyond the small meals required for bps usually ends with animals that fast for periods of time to catch up.