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Thread: Shed question

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  1. #2
    BPnet Lifer Bogertophis's Avatar
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    I take it this is your first snake? & that you don't know how to tell when they're "in shed"? One thing that confuses most ppl is that snakes cloud up for a few days to a week, then "go clear" (look normal, as if they've already shed, but they didn't-& you won't find it anywhere) and only THEN they actually shed. Reason: their body secretes moisture between the old & new layers of skin, making the old skin (that's about to come off) translucent so you think it has already come off when it hasn't yet. That moisture helps them shed, & IF they're dehydrated (or just busy digesting a meal) they may be unable to do this effectively.

    I'm asking because you don't want to be randomly soaking a snake if you aren't sure he needs help & really is due to shed. If you see small pieces of shed skin in his enclosure, you should also be seeing evidence that some skin is stuck ON him...are you seeing that? Are his eyes cloudy, or were they? Have you LOOKED for the rest of his shed in his home? (sometimes it's rolled into a tight wad & underneath substrate or under cage furnishings- it may not have come off all at once, so LOOK for it)

    Soaking a snake is also stressful for most snakes- better to give him a very moist "humid hide" (or a very damp towel) to lay in for a while, to soften up remaining stuck shed, if any.

    Also bump up his humidity to 70%- & maybe mist his enclosure- during the time he's in a shed cycle & when he's physically trying to shed.

    BTW- avoid feeding a snake that's cloudy or due to shed soon- it often makes it worse- trust me. Both digestion & shedding uses up water from the snake's body- if they aren't very well-hydrated, they may have trouble doing both simultaneously, & may require lots of help if they get stuck in their old shed.
    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

  2. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Bogertophis For This Useful Post:

    AutumnVanilla (10-05-2021),rzeppy (10-06-2021)

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