shedding frequency
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shedding frequency

 
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Graham412



Joined: 28 Jan 2008
Posts: 36

PostPosted: Wed May 07, 2008 3:58 pm    Post subject: shedding frequency Reply with quote


alright, i have had my bp for about 10 months now and i was wondering if she is shedding too much. She has probably shed 5 or 6 times and it just seems like that is too frequent. Am I wrong?


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deborahbroadus
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Joined: 16 Jul 2006
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Location: Baltimore, MD

PostPosted: Wed May 07, 2008 4:02 pm    Post subject: Re: shedding frequency Reply with quote

Graham412 wrote:
alright, i have had my bp for about 10 months now and i was wondering if she is shedding too much. She has probably shed 5 or 6 times and it just seems like that is too frequent. Am I wrong?


5 or 6 times in 10 months isn't too frequent for a fast growing young bp? Do you have any more specifics? Is the animal in the water bowl soaking a lot?
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Buck_99
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Joined: 03 Nov 2006
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Location: Midlothian, VA

PostPosted: Wed May 07, 2008 4:04 pm    Post subject: Re: shedding frequency Reply with quote

Graham412 wrote:
alright, i have had my bp for about 10 months now and i was wondering if she is shedding too much. She has probably shed 5 or 6 times and it just seems like that is too frequent. Am I wrong?


That's not too frequent, depending on the age of the snake. In the first 1-2 years they shed frequently, say once a month, or every six weeks, or every two months. When their growth slows down they shed less frequently.

If your snake is older, you could have a stress or parasite issue. Thoughts anyone?
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Graham412



Joined: 28 Jan 2008
Posts: 36

PostPosted: Wed May 07, 2008 7:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

actually she just turned one year old last month. so is she not shedding enough? and i have never once seen her soak in her water bowl. even after having her for 10 months! is that bad or is that a somewhat normal thing?
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ryancbj22
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Joined: 22 Jan 2008
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Location: Columbus Ohio

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

No I have a couple of snakes that i've never seen go anywhere near there water bowl! Bp's get a lot of there water intake from the prey they eat.

The less frequent shedding could be due to what prey your feeding.
What size prey are you feeding you may need to up the size a bit. Obviously snake's shed because they out grow there old skin. If your feeding to small it could be that her growth rate is slower because of the prey being a little to small.

Can you post pics of your snake? Also what are you feeding?
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Graham412



Joined: 28 Jan 2008
Posts: 36

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 3:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

um well she is very inconsistent with her eating. some times she will eat a small rat, sometimes 3 feeder mice, and sometimes only 2. and also i have only been feeding her every other week. but now im changing to once a week do to the fact that she is becoming a little thin.
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ryancbj22
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PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 4:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah I don't know how big she is but I have one thats about 6 or 7 months and he eats small rats once a week! I would continue with trying a small rat once a week or a rat pup.
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a_green



Joined: 26 Mar 2007
Posts: 664
Location: Vancouver, BC Canada

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 5:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mine's a year and a half old, she eats a medium rat every 10 days and sheds once a month like clockwork.
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arlynos



Joined: 10 Mar 2008
Posts: 703
Location: whitney point, ny

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 6:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Speaking of shed Ty is going into shed right now cloudy eyes and everything. This is the second time she is shedding in 2 months since i acquired her, first time was a week or so after getting her and now so that is about 5 to 6 weeks so it is normal.
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Graham412



Joined: 28 Jan 2008
Posts: 36

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 8:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

wow thats suprising ryan, i should really try to get my bp to grow and gain some wieght then! she is a year old and about 30 inches long and is eating 2 mice or a small rat. when your bp is half as old as mine but yet is eating the same amount and sometimes more. wow im very suprised
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ryancbj22
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PostPosted: Fri May 09, 2008 2:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You would be surprised what they can get down! Just remember the mouse or rat should not be much larger than the fattest part of your snake. If your snake is that big I would suggest a rat pup or a small rat not much larger....
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