Shedding timeline and vacation

[bpqueen]

I am a new BP owner and I think that my snake is going into shed. He is a little more active than normal and has just barely started to develop a pinkish belly. He ate a small rat today with no problem (following a much larger one Monday), but if he goes into shed, I am worried that he will not be done before I leave for vacation. I will be gone for 2 weeks starting July 16 and only have 1 friend able to stop by to check on him. My friend used to own a ball python, so is knowledgable, but I don't want to put everything on her shoulders as I thought that this was going to be an easy check in, spot clean, fill water, etc. trip for her.

My questions therefore are: if he is indeed starting a shed and today would be day 1 of the process, do you think that he will be done before the 16th? How can I keep the humidity up if he is not done by then)? If he does not eat again before I leave, will he be OK for 3 to 3.5 weeks between feedings (he is about 9 mos old, 340g, and being fed live rat pups/small rats every 5-6 days)? Will the shed be ok in the tank until I get back? If there is a problem with the shed, will I be able to fix it after I get back given the timeline above?

If he turns out to be a fast shedder, he should be done about the time that I leave. However, if he drags it out he will be in the end part when I am scheduled to leave and it will be 2 weeks until I return...Thanks for the feedback!

--BPQueen

[bpqueen]

His eyes are not milky yet, so just waiting...

[Kaorte]

The shedding process doesn't normally take more than 14 days so if you started noticing signs on the 3rd then he should be done by the 16th.

You can provide him with a moist hide box (tupperware with sphagnum moss). You could cover the screen top with foil tape or a damp towel.

He won't starve if you wait 3 weeks in between feedings, but he will probably be hungry. Your friend can't feed him once or twice?

If he doesn't shed in one piece, you might have some issues leaving him alone with a bunch of stuck shed for two weeks. Hopefully he will shed before you leave so you don't have to deal with it.

[bpqueen]

I have the materials for the shed box so I can provide that if he starts. His belly is definitely getting pink, but no blueing of the eyes, neck folds, or rainbowing yet. I have raised the humidity overall in the cage a bit (mid 60s) and will see what happens. I have also just found a local distributer of small rats so I might be able to leave some money for my friend to pick up 1. Thanks for the suggestions and reassurance!

--BPQ

[j_h_smith]

A shed box really isn't needed. If you keep a water bowl in the enclosure, you should be fine. Leaving the snake for 3 weeks shouldn't be a problem other than for fresh water. It will shed and be fine. But another issue could be more of a problem for you instead of the snake.

Many times, once the snake sheds, it will poo almost immediately after. That poo, if it happens once you leave, that poo will sit a stew until you return. That could cause a problem with the smell brewing for 3 weeks until your return. Walking into the front door of your house, you could be hit with a very bad smell.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

[bpqueen]

Well...the shed is definitely on! His neck fold is now noticeable, his eyes are just starting to get cloudy, and his colors are dull. He was due to be fed today, but have read that they will not eat during the shed. Should I wait or try to feed him anyway? He was acting hungry the last couple of days...but I am not sure with his just starting to cloud eyes if food will just stress him out. I have spahgnum moss in the tank and in 1 hide as well as foil over the top to help keep the humidity up. It dipped a little yesterday (mid 50s) as I was out of town and my husband forgot to mist the cage and moss down but is now back up to 70 or so. I am crossing my fingers that he is done my next thursday so that I can clean up any excrement and get one more meal in him before I leave!

[Kaorte]

Try and feed him anyway. Many will eat during shed, some won't. Only way to find out is to try. If he is in blue now he should be done within the week.

[stratus_020202]

You can try and feed him, or don't feed him. It's entirely up to him. I have some that will eat while in shed, and others that will not every time. Good luck!

[bpqueen]

Thanks Kaorte and Stratu for the advice and luck! I am such a nervous Mommy :-(

[stratus_020202]

Oh yeah. I remember the first mom jitters. i refused to let anyone else hold my first bp. I was way over protective. Lol.