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Handling during shed phase

M

mugenjin

New member
My corn shed a day after I first got him , about 3 1/2 weeks ago , so this is the 1st time I'm seeing the change in behavior prior to shedding.

He's hiding when he's normally out wandering. Is handling during this period more stressful for the snake ? Does anyone avoid it during this period ?
 
So looking through some old threads it seems some don't mind being handled. He wasn't especially nervous when I handled him prior to feeding during the 1st day he was hiding so I'll give it a try.
 
Mine don't mind being handled before a shed, but my personal choice is not to handle them too much as a courtesy if they are feeling hidey. I take them out to give them a once over, then return them to their hides.
 
I handle mine when shedding, except when they are blue. They're probably really nervous at that stage since they can't see clearly.
 
oneirogenesis said:
Mine don't mind being handled before a shed, but my personal choice is not to handle them too much as a courtesy if they are feeling hidey. I take them out to give them a once over, then return them to their hides.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. They obviously just want to lay in peace and quiet and not be disturbed, although if they need to be handled they don't object. If I notice someone hasn't been out, I'll take a peek, confirm they are blue, and leave them alone till I see the shed.
 
I will handle them very briefly just to see how they are coming along or to give them a soak. I don't soak them until they clear up though. I do offer food but for the little snakes I will give them something smaller, like a pinky. It's probably not a big deal, but I saw a little snake at the store struggling with a shed stuck around its belly and it looked sad. I figure with a pinky, at least they can still slide the shed off! :)
 
So Saturday was his scheduled feeding day and was the 1st day he started hiding , fed him with no problems. Handled him on Monday , was a bit more nervous and not moving as quickly but seemed fine.

So far he's continued to hide. I was going to feed him and clean his tank out on Thursday but was considering delaying that. What do you guys think?

And does this hiding phase last the entire time until they actually shed ? or do they become active after the "blue" period before they shed ?
 
I got a snow when he was in blue and I never even noticed it. I didn't handle him much since he was new and stressed out enough from the trip. I fed him twice before he shed, he didn't have any problems with the old skin or being picked up. My ghost on the other hand, gets up in a strike posture when blue. She is so hungry afterward she's even bitten herself when striking her pinkies.
 
Left him alone on Tuesday decided to check on him today, definitely appears to be in blue. Quite pale , and wasn't really moving at all in my hands like he usually does. Definitely behaved as if his vision were affected. Moving his head often and changing direction , almost bumping into my fingers.
 
mugenjin said:
And does this hiding phase last the entire time until they actually shed ? or do they become active after the "blue" period before they shed ?
Click to expand...

Mine always continue to hide right up until they shed, even if their eyes have cleared. My assumption is that they're trying to conserve their energy. Shedding is a lot of work!
 
I have to say even knowing what's going on , the extreme change in behavior is worrying. Looking forward to seeing my very active snake again.

Putting him back in his viv I led him onto one of the fake plants and he hasn't budged from there since. If I hadn't done some reading here , and if the timing didn't coincide perfectly , it really would seem like he's sick.

One interesting observation. Since I wasn't sure what size of hide he'd need I got 3 different ones and now he seems to be favoring the smallest of the 3. Just like when he first got here and shed a day later. Haven't seen him using that hide since then before today.
 
I dont bother them until they are past the 'Blue" stage, and even after that I only handle when I have to.
 
So I guess the consensus would be to delay feeding and cleaning his viv until he actually sheds at this point? I guess the fact he isn't actively out looking for food should be a hint.
 
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