Behira - 2016 Female Ivory Ghost - First BCI

[dakski]

I fed 5/7 snakes tonight. About 20 minutes before feeding, I checked on Behira, and she was in her water dish on the cool side. Temps are about 78-80F over there and 80-84F ambient/middle, and about 86-88F on the hot side. Humidity is about 55% which has never been an issue in winter, and I raise it when she sheds, which she did recently. She had been all over the tank today and I've never seen her in her water bowl. I thought it was peculiar, but decided to feed anyway and see what happened.

By the time I went to feed, and the lights had been out for a few minutes, she was already out of the water, in hunt mode, and waiting for a rat. She nailed the F/T rat without hesitation.

I guess she felt like being in the water. No sign of any other issues and she could not have struck harder.

Here is her in the water dish:




Here she is with 130G medium rat:

[richardhind1972]

I'm surprised she didn't over flow it and soak everything
Behira looking so good dave

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[dakski]

I'm surprised she didn't over flow it and soak everything
Behira looking so good dave

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It was close. I just filled it yesterday. The boaphile tanks are pretty solid and I'd just have to wipe it up, but that would have been a pain since I wanted to feed her.

[dakski]

Behira has been shedding more frequently lately. Usually, she sheds anywhere from every 6 weeks to 3 months. She's definitely been growing of late, but shed on 11-23-19 and looks like she will shed in the next 2-3 weeks again, if not possibly sooner. I did see her soak once, and I am 100% sure she does not have mites.

On the mites, no mites in bowl after soak, and I even filtered the water through paper towels to be sure. I use paper substrate and no evidence in the tank. Additionally, she is eating and shows zero signs of discomfort. Also, no other animal in the collection is showing any signs of distress.

Humidity has dropped to about 50%-55% in her enclosure (hot side the former and cool side the latter). Could a growth spurt and/or lower humidity cause more frequent sheds.

Again, no other signs of distress. She's a dream when handled and eats like a pig, etc. I am probably making a bigger deal than I should, but am interested in thoughts.

Further, I have a mistking setup for Ezzy and Ferry who stay about 75F and have much smaller tanks than everyone else. That maintains about 75-85% humidity for them in the winter. I got tubing and nozzles and I am running to Behira's tank, Jeff's soon to be tank, Shayna's tank, Yafe's tank, and Feliz's tank as well. I will have shutoff valves for the summer of if humidity gets too high. However, I'd rather see the boas in the 60% or higher range and Yafe too, especially with the RI when I got him. I imagine that cannot hurt.

[richardhind1972]

Hi dave
My older girls are wanting more food and seem to be shedding closer.
it may be some thing to do with her growth spurt or could be a hormone thing as she is at sexual maturity now and there internal body clock may be adjusting accordingly

As you say I'd be very surprised if its mites. as you have always been super strict with quarantine

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[dakski]

I have yet to install the misting system (but will ASAP) but have been keeping humidity up and Behira will shed again soon. She was in full blue two days ago. Looks like she will shed at about the 3 week mark from her last shed.

I am hoping either upping the humidity resolves the frequent shed issue, or it's not an issue and an isolated thing, or it resolves itself.

I've heard that occasionally snakes can get "rapid shed syndrome" and it doesn't end well. Of course, that's over a long period of time. Just my nerves kicking in I hope.

Her past 3 Sheds:

8/29/19: 3 months from previous shed - 5/31/19 - and about 1,500G - 1,590G.

10/18/19: Gained about 60G to about 1,650G

11/23/19: Gained another 40G to about 1,690G.

Shedding estimate now: 12/15/19. She had one 130G medium rat since her last shed and ate with gusto. Probably put on another 40G from that.

[dakski]

Behira shed last night (12-15-19) and is looking good. She had a perfect shed.

I am still concerned about her shedding again after only 3 weeks, and the pattern of shedding closer together, but I will have to wait and see.

[dakski]

Behira nailed a medium rat tonight. I've also been keeping humidity up and install the misting system this week (I hope). She seems okay. I saw a little redness on a few spots after the shed before last (although it was a perfect shed). I wonder if the humidity dropped caused the first shed to irritate her scales and cause a premature second shed? Either way, keeping humidity up and keeping on eye on her. She seems normal otherwise.

I have not installed the misting system because I have to run to 4 other tanks as well and requires animal removal, time, drilling, and I am waiting on two parts. I will do it ASAP once the parts come. In the meantime, the old misting bottle is serving us well.

[dakski]

I spoke with Jeff Ronne today and he said, as did Rich, that are her age and size, hormones can be kicking in. That can cause more frequent shedding, as well as some of the things I was thinking (like humidity changes).

I feel much better, especially after she pounded that rat last night. Good to get confirmation from two people I trust on Boas that she's probably fine.

[richardhind1972]

I spoke with Jeff Ronne today and he said, as did Rich, that are her age and size, hormones can be kicking in. That can cause more frequent shedding, as well as some of the things I was thinking (like humidity changes).

I feel much better, especially after she pounded that rat last night. Good to get confirmation from two people I trust on Boas that she's probably fine.

Glad you feeling a bit better dave and Jeff had confirmed your suspicions. it really is a worry. Especially when boas are pretty regular on everything they do

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