Lots of Questions!

Hey everyone, I'm a newbie to snakes, and although I did my research, I still have questions: :shrugs:

Donatello just went into blue today, should I give him a humi-hide now or wait until I notice him actually start to shed?

For my humi-hide I was just going to use an empty tissue box and some wet paper towels...is that good or should I get an actual hide/cave and moss?

Also, should I not handle him while he's in blue? I had him out today and he seemed no different....he just got angry at my dog and decided he'd defend my hand :grin01: but that's it.

I also know that they don't like to eat always when they're in blue, and today is his feeding day, so I'm going to just try to feed him tonight and if he doesn't take it, I'll let him shed then feed. Smart plan?

Thanks in advance for all your help! And I'll post more questions as they come up :idea:

I'd make a little humid hide with a tiny Gladware. Put a bit of moss inside. Make it damp, not dripping wet. If your snake won't go in it, put a sheet of plastic wrap over the screen, loosely. Mist the viv every two or three days.

I don't handle my snakes when they are blue. They don't like it. Their instinct is to hide away. I also don't feed.

Obviously, Jasmine has outgrown this hide...(But she loves it!!)

Just to add a bit.... You might notice a shedding issue more with hatchling than adult thus not needing a humid as they get older.

but..it can vary with the snake too.

Donatello just went into blue today, should I give him a humi-hide now or wait until I notice him actually start to shed?

Click to expand...

I'd put it in with him now. Mke sure that skin is nice and moist ready for a shed.

For my humi-hide I was just going to use an empty tissue box and some wet paper towels...is that good or should I get an actual hide/cave and moss?

Click to expand...

I use whatever plastic tub I have to hand. I use damp paper towel for the hatchlings and moss for adults. Either seems fine.

Also, should I not handle him while he's in blue? I had him out today and he seemed no different....he just got angry at my dog and decided he'd defend my hand but that's it.

Click to expand...

Generally they're more nervous, as the shedding process affects their eyesight as the scales over the eyes loosen. I keep handling to a minimum just so they don't get stressed.

I also know that they don't like to eat always when they're in blue, and today is his feeding day, so I'm going to just try to feed him tonight and if he doesn't take it, I'll let him shed then feed. Smart plan?

Click to expand...

That's certainly what I'd do in your shoes.

Thanks for all your help! I got some moss and am going to find a plastic bowl my mom wont mind me destroying :grin01: and put the moss in there
I'm going to try feeding him too...he's always ate like a fatty so we'll see

Thanks again for all your help!

Great advice above, Emily! You know, a "Ziplock" storage tub doesn't cost too much! That way you won't have to bug mom for anything.

See! I told you you'd be a great corn owner!

Well I fed him today, and man did he gulp it down!:bang:

What I ended up doing was putting some moss in a plastic dish, and leaving it wet for him...he didn't go in right away but I didn't think he was going to

I'm so proud of my awesome first snake

Ok so....I have been watching him and his eyes cleared up today.

Is it possible that he had that fast of murkey-eye-ness? lol

Is it also possible that he was in blue and I didn't know it? Because he doesn't act any different.

He also is taking no interest in the moss I've provided so I just spray the set-up down every time it needs.

Help?

They will go clear for a few days before they actually shed. It'll be any day now!

Ok...because his coloring hasn't really changed at all...his belly isn't blue looking and his coloration hasn't really 'faded' so I'm wondering if he burrowed under his substrate enough to shed already and I just can't find it...but we'll see :nope:

He probably didn't shed yet, they clear up pretty good after going in blue and then they shed a couple days after clearing up.

Thanks....hopefully its an easy shed...don't want him gettin too stressed. Also, are they pretty easy to find? The shed-skin I mean?

Oh, yeah. You'll definitely find a skin in the viv after he sheds.

Yay lol

Thanks for all your help! I will post pics once he sheds for sure!

My Frank has always shed a little different than I've heard. His eyes go blue for about 12 hours. Then they clear up. He sheds on the 5th day his eyes are clear like clockwork. He is a scaredy cat when his eyes are blue but acts completely normal before he actually sheds. He is pissy though. It was explained to me that the loosening scales can be very painful if the snake doesn't take it easy and it would be hard for the snake to take it easy if he is being handled.

Also, don't worry about the feeding schedule. Frank eats like a pig when the new litter is small enough for him. He eats every 4 or 5 days as he is ready, three pinkies, two fuzzies or crawlers or one hopper. He refuses to eat by the time he has a big hopper down and doesn't eat for two or three weeks until I have a new litter. He is growing like crazy and is super healthy. I never have problems with him any more.

I never feed him during his shed cycle. All I do when he is shedding is dump a little water in his bedding from the water bowl as I change it. He bathes in the new water or burrows in the wet aspen the day before it comes off.

You have the right idea. If he doesn't eat, he just doesn't want to. Just give him options like temp, moisture and food and he will be a happy snake.

Congrats and good luck!

Well he shed! A nice long, perfect one:dancer:

From what I can see the shed looks good. Always make sure to look at the shed and be sure the eyes shed good. (you will see the two circles) Also be sure that the entire shed is off the tail tip. You can see that also on the shed. Have fun with the new snake, you will want another soon. They are addictive.

Great advice from bondoron... its a good habit to get into.

Oh it's too late...I already want another but alas, I live with my mom, and she won't allow it

I leave mine in all the time and mist it every so often. If I notice the snake is blue I make SURE the moss is damp.


I use these for hatchlings up until they can't fit in them any more...