Baby has not shed yet

Its been almost 2 weeks since little Rubii hatched. She hatched out on 7-7-09. She's moving around her tub to regulate her temperature and I'm keeping the paper towel slightly damp to help with humidity, but she's not showing any signs of shedding. I don't want her to go too long without food. Should I go ahead and feed her, or wait. She's so tiny. I can't imagine her going too long without something to eat. She only weighs 37g.

Anyone? I'm really worried about her. I lost all her siblings while they were still in the egg and I don't want to lose her too. :(

So no one has had experience with a hatchling that hasn't shed 2 weeks after hatching?

I don't have any experience with hatchlings yet; but if it has been 2 weeks already it couldn't hurt to try feeding a small meal, probably would be better if it was live. Good luck with her!

Hi,

Has she went through any part of the shedding cycle at all?

I would try offering some food I think. But don't be surprised if she doesn't take it.

The first shed skin is really thin and "velvety" compared to normal sheds so I don't see the same problems arrising from it being retained a little longer than usual - but someone please correct me on that if I am wrong. :please:


dr del

Do you have a photo? Are you completely sure she hasn't shed? There's a very distinctive difference in appearance after that first shed. Sometimes the shed can be found stuck to the underside of a hide, or even under a water bowl, depending on the type of bowl.

Usually hatchlings emerge with a stomach full of egg yolk to live off of for a few weeks. They often don't eat until 4 days to a week after their first shed. Is she opaque at all? I have a clutch that hatched out 5 days ago, and the first ones are already starting to go opaque.

I will get a picture right now for you.

i had one go over a month without sheding.

Here are four pictures of Rubii. She doesn't seem to be getting darker and her eyes are still shiny black.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ake/rubii4.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ake/rubii3.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ake/rubii2.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...ake/rubii1.jpg

But they can't possibly go that long without food, can they? She's so tiny. Would it hurt to try and get her to eat something? A mouse pinky or fuzzy?

I did not find any shed in the tub. I checked every conceivable place and nothing. I might head on up to the store and get her a mouse pinky or fuzzy and see if she takes it. Is there any harm in trying to feed her, or is just a common practice to let them shed first?

I had one that wasn't shedding this year and He feed for me. I feed him an adult mouse. Good luck

She hasn't shed yet from those photos. Just wait it out. Some take much longer to shed than others...

It just happens that way.

But can she really wait so long to eat? I know pythons can go months without eating a single thing, but she just seems so tiny and fragile. And she's been cruising around her tub too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

But can she really wait so long to eat? I know pythons can go months without eating a single thing, but she just seems so tiny and fragile. And she's been cruising around her tub too.

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Yes. Two weeks is NOTHING. She has yolk reserves. What you really need to be worried about with hatchlings is WATER. Make sure they have plenty of fresh water. They can go without eating, but they dehydrate easily.

I check all the snakes' water dishes every morning. She always has fresh water. :D I actually need to upgrade all the water bowls to some that don't tip because half of my snakes seem to think its funny to turn their water bowls every other day and I have to change the entire tub out. :mad: Thankfully little Rubii is not quite strong enough to tip hers yet, but I know she's plotting!