Shed concerns

[Hazz332]

Hello,
Just wanted some opinions from more experienced snake keepers on whether or not this is normal- I’ve had my bp since November and all seems to be going well, but I’m getting a little concerned because she hasn’t had a shed since 3/4/20, and she hasn’t shown signs that she’s going into shed yet... seems like a long time to me but is this a cause for concern? I’ve been keeping the humidity up a bit (btwn 60-80%) to possibly try to trigger her shed but no luck.
thanks for the input!!

[KMG]

I wouldn't worry. It will happen when it happens. I have had some snakes go a good while between sheds and have had some shed and go right back into blue and shed again.

I think snakes do things to stress us out. It must be great fun for them.

[dakski]

Yeah, don't stress. However, I would not preemptively keep humidity up. Humidity that is too high can cause problems just as humidity too low can.

I shoot for 50-55% humidity for my BP and up to about 65-70% when ready to shed (after going into "blue"). If you aren't sure what that is feel free to ask. But basically, your BP's eyes will cloud over before actually shedding (several days, or longer, later). That's when you up the humidity.

Basically, 60% is fine, but 80% is too much for normal conditions.

[Craiga 01453]

What size prey are you feeding? How often? How much does the snake weigh?

If she's underfed she may be taking a while to shed.

[Faith.luu]

I wouldn’t stress. It’s only been about 3 months since your bp had shed. You put the date as 03/04/20, so I’m assuming March 4th( let me know if that’s correct) otherwise, April 3.

What’s the age of your snake? Adult bp won’t shed as often as younger ones do. Even young ones can take an average of 2-4 months before they shed. And even so, every snake is going to be a little different. Some snakes will go for several months without shedding.

[Bogertophis]

You mentioned how long YOU'VE had this snake, but not the age of the snake. As snakes get a little older, they tend to shed at longer intervals, & of course, shedding means growth so it also depends on available prey eaten...is it possible you're feeding on the light side? Humidity only facilitates their shed...it's doesn't make it happen any faster, just easier when it does.

[Bogertophis]

I wouldn’t stress. It’s only been about 3 months since your bp had shed. You put the date as 03/04/20, so I’m assuming March 4th( let me know if that’s correct) otherwise, April 3.

What’s the age of your snake? Adult bp won’t shed as often as younger ones do. Even young ones can take an average of 2-4 months before they shed. And even so, every snake is going to be a little different. Some snakes will go for several months without shedding.

You know what they say...? Great minds think alike!

[christineho]

Yeah, don't stress. However, I would not preemptively keep humidity up. Humidity that is too high can cause problems just as humidity too low can.

I shoot for 50-55% humidity for my BP and up to about 65-70% when ready to shed (after going into "blue"). If you aren't sure what that is feel free to ask. But basically, your BP's eyes will cloud over before actually shedding (several days, or longer, later). That's when you up the humidity.

Basically, 60% is fine, but 80% is too much for normal conditions.

+1 -- beware of RIs and they won't shed as a response to the humidity level.

[Hazz332]

Thanks for the heads up about the humidity. I’ll keep it keep drop it down until I see her showing signs of shed. Yes, her last shed was March. She is a hatchling and has shed twice since I’ve had her. I’m wondering if I need to move up in prey size, I recently switched her over to f/t mice (about 18g) and last time I weighed her a couple weeks ago she was about 230g.

[Zincubus]

Thanks for the heads up about the humidity. I’ll keep it keep drop it down until I see her showing signs of shed. Yes, her last shed was March. She is a hatchling and has shed twice since I’ve had her. I’m wondering if I need to move up in prey size, I recently switched her over to f/t mice (about 18g) and last time I weighed her a couple weeks ago she was about 230g.

For what it’s worth .

I randomly spray all my snake vivs but when one goes into shed I spray each day and then as soon as the eyes clear / the colour returns I then increase the spraying to two or three times daily .. they always shed perfectly in the following few days


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