Just Observing the 1st Shed Adventure

Still a newbie here. Okay so it's been 1 1/2 weeks now since I got Tanveer.

He literally just came out of the Blue shed stage yesterday. For those couple days he was in it I noticed he stayed in his hide practically the entire time. The only time I saw that he wasn't was when I checked on him and held for about 5 minutes carefully since I knew he couldn't see well. :D

Today his eyes are clear again and he is definately Mr. Active and Crabby Pants LOL. Tonight he has been cruising all over the place in his terrarium, rubbing up against his hide, rubbing the glass, yawned etc... I am guessing this is because he will soon be getting rid of his old skin?!

Also tonight after I went to check on him, he let me hold him fine. I did carefully move the hide so I could hold him for about 5 minutes. I put him back fine and then once I closed the sliding top I bent down and he struck at me not hitting the glass but definately in my direction:O New experiences are always so jarring yet fun LOL. Plus while I was upstairs my husband said he heard him hiss while he was staring at the side of the terrarium. We did cover the sides and back with aquarium paper over the weekend.

So as a newbie I am guessing he could still be adjusting, getting ready to slough the old skin very soon, or possible hungry? Maybe all of the above?! It's just been so interesting to watch him and the different activity levels. Tonight I think is the most active he has been yet! (oh and crabby LOL)

Thanks for listening to my newbie ramble. I'm sure to some of you more experienced owners this seems somewhat silly:P

Well, when they are in shed they feel pretty vulnerable. I know mine always freak out when I open their tubs when they are shedding.

Hopefully he will shed soon and be back to normal, and be super beautiful :)
Just make sure your humidity is around 60-70%.
Are you worried that he might be hungry? How often are you feeding him and how big is the prey item? How big is the snake for that matter?

:)

Thanks for the reply. He ended up finally starting to shed his skin last night:D So I think you are right about him feeling vulnerable.

It's been an interesting journey with him because he is the first snake I have ever owned. I have only had him for almost 2 weeks now. I left him alone the first 3 days to get him settled in and more comfortable. I handled him on day 4 and 5 with no problems. I tried to feed and it was unsuccessful but the very next day he went into the blue shed phase. So I have mostly just been observing him since I have had him.

I know he is used to eating a F/T med. rat every 10 days or so per the guy I got him from. He is about 2.5 feet long and weighs 2.7 pounds (not sure what that is in grams). I am sure he will be hungry anyday now that he has almost finished shedding all if his old skin. So I plan on attempting to feed him again tomorrow.

Wow, he is a big boy. Grats on getting him. Sounds like you will take very good care of him. BTW, did he shed completely? As the poster above stated, the relative humidity should be close to 70% during shed cycles. Good luck with him, and keep us all updated.

Yes, he is a big boy LOL. Is there anyway to guess his age by his length and weight? Or will I just know that he is an adult?

As of tonight he hasn't shed completely. It looks all of his old skin has sloughed off of his under side. However, there is a long section on top that is still hanging on and a little bit by his neck.

I figured by tomorrow if there is still old skin on him I should give him a bath, right? I read the article on "Bad Sheds" and that is what I am kinda going off of. Tonight I bought a shoebox size tub and lid so I am prepared.

Thankfully he has chilled out today and seems to be much more content. He's been out of his hide all day and just sorta hanging out. I keep forgetting to get a hydrometer...eek! I keep a large bowl of water in there with him though and have been misting several times a day.

If you can get him to soak in the tub for a while that might help get the rest of that skin off. :gj:

Congrats on the new family member. Sounds like he will be in great hands. Do not worry about being a so called newbie, You have enough sense to find this wonderful fourm. Everyone here will do their best to help you out with any advice you need. Before to long you will be an old pro. Please take time to read some of the care sheets I found them very helpful. Welcome to the Family.:banana:

Thankyou all sooooo much!!! This site and it's members are so helpful and you all helped me make it through my first almost 2 weeks!

Big Accomplishments our 1st twelve days together

1. Tanveer seems to have adjusted well and is cruising around being friendly. He seems to like his new home and enjoys hanging out on his fake wood, under his hides, and on the edge of his water bowl.

2. He went into the shed process successfully. I gave him a good soak today to help with the couple small pieces left on his back. After I returned him back to his terrarium he has pretty much rubbed the rest off:D.

3. Tonight he was looking rather hungry (head out of his hide like he was waiting for something yummy to pass by LOL). I decided to attempt to feed him and it was successful!!!!! He ate a F/T med. rat. He didn't strike at it or anything, simply pushed it up against the feed tub (he is used to eating that way) and ate it like a gentleman;)

Whew! It's been a big first 12 days LOL. Thanks again sooo much for all of your tips, encouragement, thoughtfulness!

Oops I forgot to add that my husband finally saw him stretched out for the first time today. That's when I learned I am measurement challenged because my hubby says he is more like 3 to 3-1/2 ft. long NOT 2 1/2;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BuddhaLuv

Oops I forgot to add that my husband finally saw him stretched out for the first time today. That's when I learned I am measurement challenged because my hubby says he is more like 3 to 3-1/2 ft. long NOT 2 1/2;)

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they grow around 1 foot per year for the first 3 years, if that helps roughly on his age.