Shedding

[Tammy]

Hi all...
I read the shedding thread, and it sounds like my snake is doing all the right things. i took him out yesterday so i could change his water. he didn't seem to mind, but was really shy acting. he has been spending alot of time in his water dish. i do spray the cage down once a day. is this normal? his eyes got all blue the day before i was supposed to feed him, so i didn't feed. should i wait until he is done shedding to try and feed? once his eyes get clear, can i handle him again?
Thanks!
Tammy

[muddoc]

Tammy,
If your snake is spending alot of time in his water dish, it could be one of three things. 1. He has mites. Next time you see him in his water dish, remove him and inspect the water dish thouroughly for little black specks.
2. His enclosure is too hot and he is trying to stay cool.
3. Not as common, but, I have two snakes that have never had mites, and I have checked their temps probably 100 times in the last two years, and they just love to soak.

As far as handling and feeding, feeding can be stressful to a snake that is in the blue. So I would wait until he has shed to offer food. Handling is kind of the same. In the blue they can be a bit stressed, so handling is not a good idea unless absolutely necessary. Also, try not to handle him for about 1 hour after he sheds, as their skin is very soft directly after a shed. Hope this helps.

[Adam_Wysocki]

Great stuff Tim! ... I'd also like to add that sometimes a snake like a ball python that loves to feel "touched" on all sides of their body (gives them a sense of security) will often "hide" in their water bowl if it is a smaller, tighter space than their hide box.

Hope this helps.

-adam

[West Coast Jungle]

Most snakes don't want to eat or be bothered when in shed but there are always exceptions. I would follow the general rule of don't feed or handle when in shed. Once you get to know your snake real well you can be a better judge of how he behaves during shed. I have some snakes that eat when in shed but most don't. I found out by accident by feeding before I realized. They are all diiferent but if you follow the general rules you'll be alright. Also I would track the date that the snake sheds and feeds. It is always helpful to know the progress of your babies!

[Tammy]

Thanks...
i have checked the water thouroughly, no sign of mites. just since he has been in the blue has he been soaking. my temps are 88 on the hot side at 78 on the cool side...i think that's just about perfect isn't it?
this is my first snake and my first shed experience. i wish it would hurry up cuz i really miss holding him!

[Adam_Wysocki]

I would up those temps about 5 degrees on each side and check your humidity levels.

Hope this helps.

-adam

[Tammy]

thanks...
do you think an undertank heater on the warm side would help?

[West Coast Jungle]

Undertank is the best for BP's. What are you using now?

[Tammy]

right now i am using a ceramic heater, on top of the cage. i do have an undertank heater too, but never plugged it in because i thought my temps were right. he is in a 40 gallon aquarium with vents in the side for air, has hides on the cool and the warm side, along with some branches to climb on (and cuz they look cool) and 2 water dishes. using reptibark for substrate

[West Coast Jungle]

The best is to use a thermostat and an undertank heater. The ceramic dries the air alot and BP's like 50% humidity. Also it uses much less electric and is not a burn hazard. I've been burned and almost had furnture burn. Not Good!