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Been 7 weeks since last shed. Does that correlate to underfeeding?

Lindseybree

Lindseybree

New member
I've had Severus since 7/21/12. He had his first shed with my friends who hatched him. He then had his first shed with me on 8/22/12. His second shed with me was on 10/6/12 (had to give him a bath for a little shed left on his tail, but it went pretty good otherwise). Well, today we are at exactly 7 weeks since his last shed. He's been hiding out in his warm hide for a couple days, so I know he's most likely working on that now, but my question is...is it possible that he's not shedding more frequently because I'm underfeeding him and don't realize it? I'm due to weigh him again soon. I usually do before each feeding, but the scale is still at my apartment and I've since moved in with my boyfriend and have to go back and get it. His last weight was 14g on 10/23/12 and he's been on double pinks for a while before that (I started him on double pinks on 9/14/12). So according to the Munson Plan I know he's fine. And he's completely healthy otherwise. Eats great, poops great, sheds are free of major issues. Should I be worried about this? Noticed his humidity was low last night (35-40%) and I put a damp towel and some foil over his tank and that was resolved by this morning. Just wanted to get some opinions. Thanks!
 
I can't help you. I have found that at least one of my hatchlings had shed, but the shed was buried in the substrate. I had kept wondering why no shed. Finally found it in little pieces spread through out the aspen.
 
I honestly wouldn't be concerned. All snakes grow at different rates and he could just be a slow grower. Maybe feed a little more often?
 
That's what I was thinking, but I always appreciate the reassurance I can get from here. I've just come to the conclusion that he's a slow grower as well, and thus sheds less frequently. He's getting double pinks every week, so I'll probably just keep him on that. I'm not looking to make him grow faster, just want to make sure my little guy is ok. :)
 
I'm more concerned with a chance of a regurge. It shouldn't be until 16g or larger that he should be eating double pinks. If he's taking them and keeping them down then they may be smaller end pinks, more like reds and then it could be an underfeeding issue.
 
Regurge isn't an issue/worry for me. He's been on double pinks since mid-September and has never regurged (he's always been a great eater). He topped out out 15g one time before he pooped and then he was down to 14g. Feeding plans are flexible for the most part, and his food lump had started disappearing sooner, so that's why I bumped him up to double pinks. Just checked on him a couple minutes ago, and he's blue right now. Gotta get my scale over here so I can get an updated weight on him.
 
I have a snake in my collection that I have had for 2 months still no shed. I upped the humidity in his tank and have been keeping a shed box in there for the last month. I have changed his bedding from aspen to eco-earth my guess is if he shed in the aspen it was very tiny pieces I couldn't see, or he has not shed. It should be easy to spot on the eco-earth substrate. I put extra craggy drift wood items in there to help him snare his skin on. I also think they shed at different rates. I have been soaking him every 3 days for a couple weeks now. I guess when he's ready he will tend business
 
Personally I find hatchlings and up to yearlings shed every 4-5 weeks, like clockwork. If they didn't I would certainly be worried they weren't growing.
I don't soak my snakes unless I see a problem, like a retained tail-tip.
 
Just by eyeing him, he's definitely grown. Thinking that maybe I'll just up him to feedings every 5 days and see if that makes his sheds more regular.
 
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