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Ventral color change, is this normal?

R

rmnypt

New member
Hello, I noticed my Son's Abbott Okettee corn had a different texture (more bumpy?) above his snout the other day and tonight I picked him up and noticed that his ventral pattern looks much lighter than even what is was yesterday. It had been black, now it is a grey color. I just wanted to find out if this is normal, if he could possible be getting ready to shed? We have had him almost a month and he hasn't shed yet so I'm not sure at this point what to expect other than cloudy or blue eyes. If he is going into blue should I put a moist hide in now or wait a few days (as his eyes haven't been cloudy or blue yet) and I've read about scale rot and don't want to cause any problems. The humidity in his tank stays right around 50. He has been hiding a little more than normal and not acting quite like himself for the last few days if that makes any difference.

Thanks
Becky
 
Sounds like he's getting ready to shed. The colours go slightly greyish or "milky" for a few days, then they go back to normal for a couple more days, then they shed.

The change in behaviour is also probably caused by shedding. They tend to be a little more nervous when they go blue as the eye caps come loose and they effectively can't see. In the wild they'd be very vulnerable to predators. Usually this results in them being more secretive, less active and reluctant to be picked up.
 
Thanks Bitsy. I was hoping he/she was just getting ready to shed as opposed to being sick. At what point during the shed cycle should I put the moist hide in his/her viv?
 
You'll soon have a shiny new snake!
The humidity in your viv is fine, you can hold off on the moist hide and see how your snake sheds this time. 50% humidity should be good conditions for a shed.
After that you take pictures.
 
Thinking about it, I'd agree with Alan. See how this shed goes without a humid hide - you might not need one at all. Mine only occasionally get them when the previous shed was a bit scrappy. I probably don't use a humid hide more than once a year, even between all of my tribe.
 
Here's an old picture of two Okeetees, one in deep blue, the other.. not.

Sorry no ventral pictures, but you can see the drastic visual difference that occurs when a snake is getting ready to shed.

This particular picture the snake in shed is in DEEP blue, something that occurs several days before the snake actaully sheds. Before he sheds his eyes will clear up and the look is a little less extreme. The opaqueness of belly checkers is definitely a strong "in shed" indication.

IMG_3566.jpg


IMG_3571.jpg


Expect this blueness to come over your snakes eyes as well. It's all part of the process. No, your snake hasn't gone blind!
IMG_3570.jpg
 
Thanks for the pictures Jessica. He/she most definitely has blue eyes now so I guess I was stressing over nothing. Now to cross my fingers that he/she has a good first shed with us. :)
 
No problem! I will take any excuse to post pictures. ;)

If your worried about humidity you can make a moist hide. They're very easy. Take a plastic container (yogurt for hatchling, whiped cream for adult). Cut an opening in the side, put in some damn sphagnum moss (which you can find at most pet stores or buy online), put the lid back on, turn it upside down, and leave it in your snake's enclosure. I've used them before in conditions where one of my snakes was having a problem shedding.

Most likley your snake will shed without a hitch, but it seems like snakes enjoy moist hides as well, so there's nothing to lose really by putting one in there!

Also, fyi, depending on how old your snake is, it will probably shed 3 days (hatchling) to a week and a half or so (adult) after its eyes clear back up.

Congratulations on reaching the milestone of experiencing your snake's first shed! Oh yes, and we LOVE to see post shed pictures. :D
 
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