RCReptiles.com

[stumpy_wigmaker]

Hey all, just wondering if this was normal. I fed Lucy(my mom finnaly named her lol) Friday afternoon,5ish. That night she didnt come out of her hide, sat. night she didn't ether, so I got her out, it was dark and she seemed fine I couldnt see her very well, I only held her for a few minutes. Well sunday evening I was going to go to a friends house and they wanted me to bring her, so I got her out, had a plastic bowl all ready and then I noticed that her eyes where foggy/cloudy so I just put her back in her tank and left. Well now its tuesday and I still havent seen her! Today I put some damp towls in her hide to make sure the humidity is right cause she hasnt come out of her hide and I have no clue what the humidity is in her hide, just outside of the hide is where im measuring. So is this normal for her just to be staying in there? and not come out and soak or do whatever she does at night? And how long will her eyes be foggy before skin starts comming off? Ive heard a week after the eyes she will be done shedding, is this correct? thanks guys!!!

[ted1025]

Sounds normal to me. (im not expert though)

Once the eyes return to normal color it could a day or up to 1-2 weeks if im not mistaken.

Just keep it humid in there to make it that much easier to shed...

[deborahbroadus]

It's normal, she will come out when she is finished, because she will be hungry. I would advise against handling Lucy for 2 days after feeding to avoid "upchucking" issues. (you absolutely do not want to deal with dead mice/rats that have come back up!)

Then on the "friends" tip, I advise against taking your snake over friends if there is not a proper set up for it there. (but that's ME.), you were wise to see that the snake was in no condition to go "visiting" and put it back. Her needs should always be paramount. If the snake is stressed and not in the correct environments, tagging accidents can and do happen.

[Luke S. Tick]

If you had no arms or legs and suddenly went blind, you might not like coming out of your house either.

Just don't be fooled when your snake's eyes clear up. It's not over yet. After it's eyes clear, you'll notice the skin start to look a little saggy. Right before mine start to shed, I usually can see the first few scales seperating from the old shed. I make sure there are a few different rough surfaces they can rub on in thier tubs, but usually it just catches on the hide entrance.

Just keep humidity at 65% or better, maybe with a water dish half over UTH.

Oh, and if it's your first time with a snake shedding, they like to poop when they shed. Extra little treat for ya!

Luke

[stumpy_wigmaker]

Thanks Luke....im starting to get worried....its wed. night and her eyes are like solid white. Will it take this long?

[Luke S. Tick]

My youngest took about a week, she's maybe three months old. My yearling takes almost two weeks, maybe more.

Don't worry, they're built to do this. Try to leave it alone, as it may get very defensive or snappy. Mine don't, but not uncommon. One morning you'll look in and there will be a shinny soft snake and a pile of old skin.

Oh, and usually a pretty hungry snake!

Luke

[stumpy_wigmaker]

Yeah I just didnt think it would take this long, but I believe she is a yearling(only 250g) so she may take as long as yours!! Tuesday I opened her cage and lifted her hide to spray it down a bit, I place a moist paper towel in there as well, and she woke up and slithered on my hand, wasn't defensive or anything. That was cool but im going to continue to leave her alone, don't wanna push my luck lol!!!!!!

[deborahbroadus]

[stumpy_wigmaker]

well the update.......last night I got home, late and I lifted her hide to see if she had done anything yet, and I saw nothin .........being alittle upset I just did my normal thing, picked her up and got the paper towel damp, but when I picked her up there was a complette shed!!!! haha I was so happy!! she was hiding it from me o well, she did leave a nice treat for me, after 4 mice I was wondering when it was going to come out lol. Anyway just thought I would let you all know!!

[deborahbroadus]

Yeah, that's how they do it!