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shedding |
| This is what our member has to say: what or is there a general time span in between shed cycles? also how does handling affect the snake before he sheds? Elvis shed about ... |
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11-28-2005, 10:17 PM
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shedding
what or is there a general time span in between shed cycles? also how does handling affect the snake before he sheds? Elvis shed about 3 weeks ago.I just ask because I noticed Elvis's eyes were an unusual shade of grey tonight, and his color is fading a bit.
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11-28-2005, 11:08 PM
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He most likly retained some of the shed in that case that's what it sounds like to me. um try putting him in the bath tub with warm water not enough for him to be sommerged though. just enough so he can sorta bask in it. that might help.
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11-29-2005, 03:34 AM
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He could be going into shed again... it's not impossible. Have you fed him a good size meal recently? How old is he?
I've found that during growth spurts or after a good meal, the shed cycles can be closer together. Just leave him alone for a while and see how this develops.
It could be that he retained some of his last shed, but it's safest to wait a while and see. If he sheds again, it will probably take care of it.
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Andrea
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11-29-2005, 11:55 AM
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It sounds like he is starting to go into shed again. This is not unusual. Snakes do not shed on a timetable but rather according to how fast they are growing. With young rapidly growing snakes they will shed every few weeks, often as much as once a month. Older snakes shed less often because they aren't growing as quickly and have no need to. I suggest not handling a snake in shed for two reasons. One is once the eyes cloud they can't see very well and may become irritable and bite. The second is that there is new skin forming under the shed and if you are too rough in your handling there is a possibilty of damaging the new skin.
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11-29-2005, 09:57 PM
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as far as age I dont know, Ive only had him for a month. The previous owner brought him to me then fed him 2 Small feeder mice. Since hes taken 2 medium/large feeder mice. Elvis usually burrows and hides in the aspen all day but noticed that he spent most of the day inside his water hide. Is that a clue? anyhow Thanks for the info
and what about feeding, its gettin to be that time again think he'll be ok.
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11-29-2005, 10:36 PM
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Most will not feed while in shed. I would wait. How big is he? How often are you feeding?
The hiding in the aspen all day is normal. These snakes are nocturnal. Do you have other hides for him? Soaking is a good sign that they are in shed. It could also mean he is too hot and cooling down. From your description he is in shed.
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11-30-2005, 12:54 PM
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Elvis is probably about 2 1/2 feet long and about 2 1/2inches thick and he gets a large mouse about every 10 days. and yes besides where ever he burrows there is a covered water hide(its a gallon generic icream bucket similar to a butter bowl with a hole cut in the top), another water bowl under the light,abox, and some fake plants. Also his 30 gal. aquarium is on top of a 5 ft. entertainment stand in the least used room of the house. I have to use a stepladder to get in it and im 6'3"! Neither of my 2 kids could even see the snake if it was out basking. and as for the cats they dont seem to care that the snake is in the house when I have him out, and I have only seen the oldest cat sucessfully jump 1 time prior to having Elvis to the top of the stand.
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11-30-2005, 01:26 PM
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At that size I would start to switch him over to small rats. You are going to need to switch over eventually so might as well start now.
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Merlin,
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11-30-2005, 01:55 PM
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that is a question ive had since I got him. someone posted twice the width of his head, read somewhere as big as he thickest part of is body but the best advice ive gotten so far was that if he was going to eat two feeder mice in one feeding it was probably a good idea to move up to bigger prey. Also as far as I know he has always eaten live mice, should I start him out on f/t mice because that is what he is used to or rats or are BP capable of devouring any prey without preference. Here is my delima. should I change now during a shed or keep the routine.
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11-30-2005, 02:32 PM
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After he sheds, he should be pretty hungry. I'd try switching to small F/T rats immediately. Just make sure you defrost it completely and then warm it up under a heat lamp or with a hairdryer so that it is about 100F/40C -- that's about live mouse body temp. Hold the rat about 3" from his face and wiggle it slightly.
(I recommend feeding at night and in a feeding bucket, so he doesn't swallow the aspen bedding)
Good luck!
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Andrea
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