That answers that question. . .

Well, I was starting to worry about Riley because he missed two feedings (he's not one to miss a meal). I considered maybe it was seasonal and I considered taking him for his first vet trip. . .

Last night I looked in the cage and he was pressed against the tank showing me his belly and there at the bottom was this:



I guess that answers that question The thing that gets me though is that I was watching closely for any of the signs that people had mentioned (cloudy eyes, dulling color, etc.) and he didn't appear to change at all.

How quick are these changes?

Is there anything special I should do after a shed?

With my snow it's really hard to tell, her eyes go darker pink instead of bright pink for a day and that's it. 3-4 days later and she shed. My others usually stay dull longer, 2-3 days, then brighten up 2-3 days, then shed. Don't feel bad, looks like a perfect shed you have there! I don't touch mine after they shed for a day, just let them chill out after all that effort.

ickle_moose said:

I don't touch mine after they shed for a day, just let them chill out after all that effort.

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Why? It's not that much effort. If I see a snake shedding, he's out and being photographed as soon as he's done.

Seems like work to me. . .

Roy Munson said:

Why? It's not that much effort.

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I don't know, it seems like wriggling that long body out of its skin tight (excuse the pun) wrapped might just be a lot of work.

Especially when the wrapper stays all in one piece! (I took Riley's skin to class with me this morning and the kids all thought I was the coolest :crazy02: )

Dunno, if, say, someone had been daft enough to sit on their balcony using the stolen internet to chat to herpers all over the world and get really bad sunburn, then all their skin started peeling, they might not want to be manhandled afterwards either :grin01: I'm wondering if the snakes feel as anti-touch as me with my current 'shed' problem?

Why Ms. Moose...you wouldn't have been stealing internet connection, now would you?

Yeah.. I dunno, I mean if you had all new fresh skin all over wouldn't things feel a bit sensitive to you?.. I mean it wouldn't damage or be unhealthy in anyway but I could see if they'd be a bit .. 'Ooo Don't touch me THERE!'..

I still handle Trav straight after a shed (although he does it in the middle of the night usually so he's been old-skin-free for a couple of hours anyway) Which reminds me to say that he said on monday night and it was 100% intact

Devil's Advocate:

Would you want to be held (or eat) when you feel like you're stuffed inside a sausage casing? I would think that there would be a sense of relief from finally getting out of the old stuff!



Both of my babies don't mind being handled during blue and both eat at that time, too.

Ok I can see the relief angle, I must admit it does feel good to get out of my wetsuit after a dive!

Stealing internet? Moi? Must have been a typo

Roy Munson said:

Why? It's not that much effort. If I see a snake shedding, he's out and being photographed as soon as he's done.

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And measured using Serpwidget's program.

One thing some of you seem to be missing, is that when WE get new skin, it is because we have damaged the old skin in some way. This is a normal, periodic occurance in a snake's life. I don't think the new skin is in any way sensitive.

As for missing the signs, it is easy to do until you get to know your snake. I totally missed the signs of my baby bloodred's first shed. I, like you, thought she was sick or something, but a couple of days ago, she presented me with a perfect shed. Now she's back to her normal self.