Seeking important advice!

[newsnakeowner]

My BP hasn't ate in two weeks. He suppose to eat every monday night. He has been shedding for at least a week though, and I guess that could account for not eating, but I'm not sure. Also this morning, he struck at me, I'm guessing this could be from being frightened. Does anyone have any answer to why he isn't eating? Any advice to get him to eat? And is the strike this morning nothing to be worried about?

Thanks,
newsnakeowner

[catawhat75]

First off, can you describe your set up? As for the not eating, that could be due to shedding, alot of snakes wont eat while in blue. Same for the striking, you most likely startled him. Tell us about your set up though, that may have something to do with his behavior as well.

[Sausage]

Like Ingrid said, it could be because his enclosure is not properly set up. I don't think we can really draw any conclusions til' we know his setup and temps/humidity.

[sg1trogdor]

i have a very picky snake trust me its due to shedding if he was fine before and
the shed then its most likely the shed if you have only had him a while then its going to be a while til he gets used to the enclosure and wants to eat. you have to understand they are vulnerable while eating and if they feel its not safe they wont.

[newsnakeowner]

Well, there's nothing unusual about his setup. There's a warm side (roughly between 90-95 degrees) and a cool side (around 80-85 degrees). He has a hide on both sides. Humidity ranges between 50 and 60, but it is closer to 60. He's ate twice since I got him 3 weeks ago. His shed started last Tuesday, I think.

[SarahMB]

When you say your snake has been shedding for at least a week, what do you mean? Is the shed coming off in pieces?

[Snakeman]

if his shed started last week, then give him some rough surfaces to rub himself on(assuming he hasnt shed yet) like the logs they sell at petcos and soon you'll have a freshly shed BP!!!

[newsnakeowner]

Yes, his shed is coming off in pieces

[SarahMB]

It's possible that this is the problem.
Try soaking the snake in a tub with lukewarm water that goes about halfway up the snakes sides for about an hour. Then let the snake slither through a damp washcloth to try to work the shed off.

In the future, when your snake turns blue before a shed, you should up the humidity to 70%, or make it a humid hide. That should help the shedding process along much more smoothly!

[Reptile_Man]

[QUOTE=SarahMB]It's possible that this is the problem.
Try soaking the snake in a tub with lukewarm water that goes about halfway up the snakes sides for about an hour. Then let the snake slither through a damp washcloth to try to work the shed off.

Put the cloth in the tub with the luke warm water, then the snake will slither throug it on her own, tghe skin will come off after a few minutesm, then take hr out and get some kitchen towel and let her slither through it in your hand and that will dry her off.thne put her back in her tank and try feeding her that night or the next day.