Strange(?) pre-shed behavior

[zstar5g]

I put the "?" in the title because I have yet to see Pete shed, so I'm not sure what's normal. He shed for the first time not quite two months ago when we were out of town. This is what I've noticed this time:

1. I fed him on 2.14.

2. On 2.17, I handled him and noticed that his belly was very pale/faded. I put him back in the tank and he curled up in his hide.

3. We didn't notice him move at all, but we picked up his hide on 2.19 and saw that his eyes were going blue.

4. Picked up his hide again on 2.21 in the morning, and his eyes weren't blue. I handled him for a few minutes, put him back in the tank, and this time he curled up in his tree. Again, no movement for 36 hrs.

5. Tonight, after reading on the boards, I misted the tank with water (I've been spraying the moss in the tank daily to try and keep the humidity up). He immediately started drinking the water that had stuck to the parts of the tree and vines, which I thought was sort of strange. I took him from the tree and held him by his water dish, and he drank like crazy. He then moved around again for about a minute, but settled in his vine.

I guess what's bothering me is the fact that he is always very active at night, but he hasn't really moved much at all on his own for almost a week. And he was obviously really thirsty, and yet didn't go for a drink. His eyes are still pretty much normal, but his skin is pale and faded.

Does this sound like normal behavior for pre-shed, or does it sound more like he might be ill?

 

[Topazfyre]

This is quite normal pre-shed behavior. Well, within the realm of normal, anyways. The shed cycle begins with cloudy coloration, then to cloudy eyes, and finally to clear eyes and REALLY cloudy skin. I say the realm of normal because most snakes will be quite active before they shed. However, I have three snakes- one I've yet to see shed, one is highly active before shed, and the other just sits there until it hopes the skin will just disappear without any actual effort. With the latter, I have to bath her everyday after her eyes clear up to get her to try to shed. The same method may work for you.

As for the drinking situation, have you moved the water at all recently? My one that actually tries to shed had that same problem. Now I always put her back in the viv right next to the water if not slightly in it to make sure she knows where it is. I haven't had the problem since. Also, as a general rule, snakes like to bathe before shedding and will soak for long periods of time. Some, though, are extremely hydrophobicand will evade water despite (or especially when) being in shed.

This behavior seems fine to me, and while not 'normal' per say, it isn't too uncommon. You seem to be doing everything by the book well, so I have confidence that it will be a good shed.

 

[Rich in KY]

Sounds normal. He is in the clear stage of shedding now. He should shed any day now.

A cornsnaker may not move for several days while shedding. They are very vulnerable in this stage. So, he probably hadn't drank for days. Keep doing what you are doing and he will be fine.

 

[Susan]

And the length of time that all of this takes can vary from one snake to another. I have one female that is affected by shedding for at least 2 weeks. During this time, she won't eat and barely moves around except for the occasional soak in her water dish. And she sheds roughly once a month. Because of refusing to eat when in blue, she is still only about 175 grams at 4 years old. She's not thin at all, but I just can't breed her yet. Really starting to annoy me since she's a bloodred from Rich and I can't even find out if she's carrying any nifty hets...:angry01: