shed question...

[sookieball]

so i know a snake sheds when it out grows its skin.

now my question is...

is the shed-off skin the actual length of the snake?
or is it stretched out or longer you know?

anyone?

[Jeo123]

It can be either one really.

Usually in the process of shedding, the skin bunches up a bit, so it can be smaller. Pieces also break off from time to time at like the tail section or the front of the mouth, so you'll lose a little there.

At the same time, the skin can definitely stretch. How much it stretches is based on how wet it is. If it came off and was sitting in a water bowl, it will stretch much more than if it was left directly under a heat lamp.

For what I think you're attempting though, I guess you could measure it to get an approximation since it's probably easier than trying to get your snake to stretch out straight along a tape measure.

[MitsuMike]

The shed is longer than the actual snake. Without any girth to it the skin can stretch longer than the snake actually (well that is my understanding b/c the shed is always longer than the snake)
Example a 18 foot burms shed is around 22ish feet.

[sookieball]

The shed is longer than the actual snake. Without any girth to it the skin can stretch longer than the snake actually (well that is my understanding b/c the shed is always longer than the snake)
Example a 18 foot burms shed is around 22ish feet.

wow!

kewl thanks! because i know she's a big girl but i know she's not that big!