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Shedding

Hock3yMonk3y

Hock3yMonk3y

I like corn snakes...
Hi everyone,

I will soon be getting my first cornsnake! But first I need to know exactly what to do in order for my snake to have a nice, good shed. Please help if you can.

Thanks,
Hock3yMonk3y
:crazy01:
 
I keep my Humidity from about 40-50%, and mist a few times daily while they are in blue phase.
 
Welcome Monk3y. The term "blue" refers to the stage just before shed. Fluid enters the space between the outer layer of skin and the next(new)layer. The process causes the old skin to seperate from the new layer below it. When it starts your snakes black eyes will look blue, red eyes will look pink.
After the fluid clears so will your snakes color, the outer skin is loose at this point, but not shed. My snake will shed about 3 days after clearing.
 
Welcome to the forum. Another thing to know about "blue" is that it's sometimes hard to tell with certain colors, particularly if you're new to the hobby. The colors get duller, but it's easy to miss with light-colored snakes until you get used to your particular animal(s). Also, most snakes get more shy during this time, and are more skittish.

"Blue" is also called "cloudy," by the way. And don't worry too much about it; most corns shed without any problems.
 
Wow you guys are great! Thanks for the help.

Caryl, when you say "...Most corns shed without and problems..." does that mean that the humidity does not need to change, or nothing needs to happen?
 
That sort of depends upon what your ambient humidity is to start with. If your home is air conditioned, for instance, the indoor humidity may be pretty low. Lighty misting a clean viv is never a bad thing. You can increase the humidity by putting a cloth (towel, sheet, shirt, whatever) over part or most of the screen/ventilation area.

If a water dish is on the warm side, evaporation adds humidity to the air. I clean and change the water daily when it's on the warm side.

A moist hide is also a good idea when the snake is shedding. That's a hide (margarine or whipped topping tubs are cheap and easy) with something damp for the snake to squish itself into. Sphagnum moss is ideal, but cotton balls that you sort of pull apart can work in a pinch.

Personally, I mist the viv, and cover it with a towel when I notice a snake's in blue. However, not all snakes are interested in a moist hide - and I have missed the blue phase when I first got my snakes. Only one has had any problems at all with her sheds, and that was when we first turned on the AC for summer. She got a moist hide and extra misting for the next cycle, and all was well.

Hope that helps.
 
I live in the Mississippi delta, so humidity here is constantly ~60% (this is w/ A/C) I imagine Hawaii might be similar. My baby R/O just had his 1st shed and I didn't use any means of moistening the cage and it was a complete success, only area that wasn't on the main piece was the stomach at the top of the shed, but considering the way he used the foilage to scrape the back rather than stomach, im not too supprised
 
Sorry guys I used to live in Hawaii but I moved to Florida recently, I just havn't changed my info and now I did. Sorry for the misconception.
 
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