Opening and closing mouth during shed?

[Klogue1]

While my baby BP was in blue (for the first time with me) I picked her up once to check on her. This is when I saw she was in shed. I looked her over really quick but I noticed she would open and close her mouth in a sort of crackle noise, the noise was short/quick and she's never done that before. She's also not done this since she shed her skin. Was wondering if this might be an RI or just normal shed? I've never seen it before. Thanks for any help!!

Basking spot- 91*
Cool side- 73* (I know 75+ is recommended and it started getting chilly where I live. I am setting up a space heater after this post)
Humidity- 40-50% normally, bumped up to 65ish% during shed.

[Homegrownscales]

It could be the starts of one. Bump your heat to 94.f and try and up your cool end to 75-80.f. Get your humidity to 70% and make sure that there's plenty of air flow so that he's not breathing stagnant air. Let him shed and see what happens. If he continues to do this, it'll be time for a vet appt. If not continue to monitor. Keep his stress level Down as much as possible and keep a good eye on him.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

[Klogue1]

Thank you very much! I have the heater set up so I will wait and see what it does to the temps, and I'll solder some more holes into the tub just in case.

[dereklondon24]

another thing to think about is if your ball as just starting to shed then the yawning is normal. You will see them yawning at the very beginning of the shed because what they are doing is stretching their jaw to start the shed. When they yawn they break the skin loose on their jaw to start the shed. So if ur ball hasnt done it since then their is probably nothing to worry about he/she was just getting the shed started.

[DooLittle]

He was blue when he did this? I would get temps and humidity up and keep an eye on him. I have never seen or heard that from any of mine. They yawn from time to time, but I have never heard a noise.

[Klogue1]

Alright, thanks all for the help! She hasn't done it at all since but I've raised temps and humidity anyways to make sure. I'm hoping it was her normal shed and the crackling was just the old skin!