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Stunted growth

A

Asher9

New member
I rescued my corn about six months ago from someone who neglected him, and only feed him once a month. He was underweight, and way to small for his age, only about two and a half feet. (He is 5) He is now getting fed every nine days, and had put on a lot of weight and is almost a healthy wieght. My question is: will he get much bigger length wise now that he is getting regular meals? I know he is way past the point where snakes usually grow the most, but any input in appreciated.
 
From what I've gathered, snakes grow their entire lives although at a much slower rate as they age, so id say yes but he'll never be a 5ft monster, I could see him being a max of 3 ft in his life although I'm just spitballing
 
I'm sure you know that snakes grow their entire life but as they get older they don't shed as much; which in turn they don't grow as much. You can monitor his sheds but if they are months and months apart he probably won't get much longer. That's still awesome you were able to rescue him though, I bet he is one happy little buddy now he's in a good home. Plus him being small kind of makes him unique.
 
Thank you so much! He has only shed once since I got him, so I doubt he will get much bigger. That doesn't bother me though, he is a perfect size in my opinion! :)
 
BLKfly said:
I'm sure you know that snakes grow their entire life but as they get older they don't shed as much; which in turn they don't grow as much. You can monitor his sheds but if they are months and months apart he probably won't get much longer. That's still awesome you were able to rescue him though, I bet he is one happy little buddy now he's in a good home. Plus him being small kind of makes him unique.
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You're on the right track here but the logic is reversed, they shed according to their growth not the other way around. A shed triggered by injury or other stressor isn't going to also trigger a growth spurt, after all. ;)
 
Correct me if I'm wrong because I definitely don't mind learning, but I don't recall saying they grow depending on their shed. Maybe it would of been better to word it as when they get older they don't shed as much which means they aren't growing as much. Unless you feed live mice, they shouldn't need to shed because of a wound. Or are you stabbing your snake!!! Lol just kidding don't stab your snake.
 
I read it the same way Dragonling did, but no matter, it's all clarified now.

My understanding is that shedding is triggered by hormones. Some older snakes, i.e. not growing much, shed monthly or every two months and some only a few times a year. It is very individual. My understanding is that is not just growth and not just injury that trigger shedding. Look at breeding related shedding for example. It is definitely complex and a bit wonderous.

As to Asher's rescue snake getting much longer, probably not at this point. Just watch the proportions and crossection shape to avoid under or overweight, feed accordingly, and nature will do what it will. Good on you for giving this precious snake the home he deserves!
 
DollysMom said:
My understanding is that shedding is triggered by hormones. Some older snakes, i.e. not growing much, shed monthly or every two months and some only a few times a year. It is very individual. My understanding is that is not just growth and not just injury that trigger shedding. Look at breeding related shedding for example. It is definitely complex and a bit wondrous.
!
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Exactly !!!! Your research and understanding what is bogus and what sounds factual is always on the money! :)
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I have a snake that is around 1000g and 6+ years old and he sheds every 3 to 5 weeks. If snake sheds were worth money he would make me rich ! LOL He's not growing !
I have a another adult snake that has lost a third of his body weight due to refusal to eat over 2 years and he still sheds regularly every 4 months. He's shrinking!
My trinket snake sheds once a month like clock work so getting him to adulthood is taking forever! He spends 25% of his life in "blue" ! He's growing at a much slower rate than his shedding would suggest!

To say "they shed according to their growth" is to simplistic of a statement for sure! Growth, Time and many other factors are triggers for a hormonal change to start the shed cycle.
 
Well this is interesting. Your rescue can teach us about the growth of a nutrition deprived snake. Maybe you can measure his weight and length every month or so and let us know if he is growing. I would love to know if he 'catches up'.
 
I will try to do that Myca, I can get his weight, and will try to get his length (he is kind of squirmy so it might not be too accurate), and will post it in this thread.
 
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