Vote for BP.Net for the 2013 Forum of the Year! Click here for more info.

» Site Navigation

» Home
 > FAQ

» Online Users: 718

0 members and 718 guests
No Members online
Most users ever online was 47,180, 07-16-2025 at 05:30 PM.

» Today's Birthdays

None

» Stats

Members: 75,905
Threads: 249,104
Posts: 2,572,101
Top Poster: JLC (31,651)
Welcome to our newest member, Pattyhud
Results 1 to 5 of 5
  1. #1
    BPnet Veteran Luvyna's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-06-2019
    Posts
    836
    Thanks
    1,336
    Thanked 833 Times in 491 Posts

    Can stress trigger shedding?

    I've had to move my BP twice to temporarily stay elsewhere (about a 1 hr drive away) and one thing I noticed was that every time I move to a new environment (or return to an old one) with my BP, he will go into shed within ~1-2 weeks of moving, even if it's only been 2 months since his last shed when he typically sheds every 3 months.

    When I first brought my BP home from the breeder he also went into shed within 2 weeks. I think I'm seeing a pattern now so I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed anything similar? I've heard stories about people finding snakes that were shipped to them in shed, or even mid-shed when they are removed from the box! I wonder if something about the process of moving or the stress involved triggers the snakes to go into shed.

    Other than the shedding, my BP behaves normally during these moves - he never refuses a meal and continues to hide in the day and come out to roam at night. The sheds are also nice, complete sheds that are all in one piece.

  2. #2
    BPnet Lifer Bogertophis's Avatar
    Join Date
    04-28-2018
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    20,785
    Thanks
    29,342
    Thanked 20,555 Times in 12,281 Posts
    Maybe- like indirectly. Stress impacts their immune system, & if there's anything "going on" health-wise (parasites, minor injury, fighting an infection) I can see how that could maybe have some influence. Maybe he just wants a "fresh start" in your new place? More likely, this is just a coincidence & means nothing- they don't shed at perfect intervals, they don't grow at the same precise rate all the time either, any more than we do.
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

    The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” ~ Gandhi

  3. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Bogertophis For This Useful Post:

    AutumnVanilla (10-01-2021),Hugsplox (10-01-2021),Luvyna (10-03-2021)

  4. #3
    rhac wrangler mlededee's Avatar
    Join Date
    05-05-2004
    Location
    central
    Posts
    11,008
    Thanks
    894
    Thanked 2,388 Times in 1,397 Posts
    Blog Entries
    2
    Images: 72
    I am not sure if it is a documented phenomenon, but yes, in my experience stress can absolutely trigger a snake (or any reptile) to shed. And I think the stress associated with moving or shipping is a big trigger. Growth hormone levels are increased by stress, so it makes sense.
    - Emily


  5. The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to mlededee For This Useful Post:

    AutumnVanilla (10-01-2021),Bogertophis (09-30-2021),Hugsplox (10-01-2021),Luvyna (10-03-2021),Snow Balls (10-04-2021)

  6. #4
    BPnet Veteran Luvyna's Avatar
    Join Date
    01-06-2019
    Posts
    836
    Thanks
    1,336
    Thanked 833 Times in 491 Posts
    Thank you both for the input! I also wondered if the shedding was a coincidence but it's just happened the same way a few times now so I feel like it's a pattern. I wish there was more research about snakes, even though they are kept as pets it seems like there is still so much we don't know about them and even though lots of people have anecdotes it's hard to find info about them that is confirmed scientifically.

  7. #5
    BPnet Veteran Erie_herps's Avatar
    Join Date
    03-08-2021
    Location
    Midwest, USA
    Posts
    278
    Thanks
    989
    Thanked 380 Times in 201 Posts
    I know it's not snakes but I have 9 leopard geckos and I notice that more often than not when one sheds the others shed within that week.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.1