Shedding Albino question

[Kathryntheclean]

Okay, Alex is our albino corn snake. He's about 4 months old according to the vet. He just went through his first shed with us. He did a complete shed. Question: how was I supposed to know he was ready to shed? I'm assuming Albino's don't get blue eyes as a sign, as Alex did not. The only sign we had was a very subtle ashy look to his skin. But it was my 13 year old daughter who noticed that, not me. Is there any other way I can readily tell that he's about to shed? I'd rather not be surprised by anything and I'm sure he needs peace and quiet for this process.

[afsgr88]

Shedding signs are tough to see in albinos, that's true. I believe the ones you can rely on is the color fading, like you said, and the pink belly. Even though this last one is not visible in all species, I believe.

I also think that the longer Alex is with you, the better you will get in reading his pre-shedding behavior (hiding in humid hides, rubbing, etc).

Hope it helped a little :)

[Kathryntheclean]

Thanks, Ana. Yes, that helps tremendously. I just worried because everyone says blue eyes are noticeable, but Alex had none. I assumed it was his albino trait.

[afsgr88]

Thanks, Ana. Yes, that helps tremendously. I just worried because everyone says blue eyes are noticeable, but Alex had none. I assumed it was his albino trait.

No need to worry. Most albinos don't go into a blue colour,* but pink, actually. The blue colour on the eyes prior to a shed is caused by a fluid produced between the old skin and the new skin beneath. Since albinos lack melanin, the fluid gives them a pinky colour. Freaky stuff :D

[Kathryntheclean]

Wow. I learn something new every day. Snakes are sooooo cool!

[EL Ziggy]

Ana's right, it's tough to tell in the beginning when they're prepping to shed. My albino snakes get duller than normal but the pink belly and increased hiding and inactivity are my biggest clues.

[Kathryntheclean]

Ok. I wondered why he was under the paper towels so much. That explains it.

[ThirteenRavens]

I'm sure your question has already been answered, but thought I would chime in ^-^

I have a snow stripe cornsnake and I can almost never tell when she's getting ready to shed...I usually accidently end up feeding her and find a fresh shed in her viv the next day :no:

I've only been able to tell a couple times and she turns a duller shade of white/pink and her pink eyes are a little less so if that makes sense lol.

[Kathryntheclean]

Is it bad to feed them if they're ready to shed?

[ThirteenRavens]

Some people do, others don't...I don't intentionally do it, and if I do it's only her as I have a hard time telling. She hasn't seemed effected by it but others have had problems with their snakes.

[Kathryntheclean]

Interesting.. Alex was really hungry and didn't regurgitate or anything. Does it unnecessarily stress them out or something?

[Andy_G]

It can cause problems during the shedding process. Sometimes if a snake has a good sized meal they can have issues shedding past the lump and will regurgitate as a result...plus a full snake doesn't usually want to move around and they have to do this to shed so it's got to be uncomfortable. Also, before the shed occurs the underlying skin can be quite soft and if a snake constricts prey even if dead it can cause some superficial damage to the new skin underneath (of course, not with pinkie or fuzzie mice) I haven't had this happen but know of those who have. I've always skipped feeding snakes that are in shed because it's an easy way to add a slight amount of variety in how often they are fed, plus the unnecessary stress and the possibility of wasting food items if they don't eat.

[Kathryntheclean]

So, then when noticing a shed that's coming on, how long should I hold off on a feeding?

[Andy_G]

Until the snake has shed would be my recommendation.

[Kathryntheclean]

Alrighty. Will try that next time. Many thanks!

[GyGbeetle]

I have 2 albinos, and both get noticeable cloudy eyes before going into shed. If it happens during their feeding cycle, I will still feed them; they are both great eaters. It can stress out Alex to feed her in shed, and since you haven't had her for very long, you don't know her habits too well yet. You can offer the food if she doesn't looked too stressed out.

We've also noticed that if we offer food while their skin is actually shedding, the stretching they do to get their rats down actually helps break off the skin around their head.

[Kathryntheclean]

Hummm, so pretty much I'm going to have to do some sleuthing to figure this out. Watch Alex and read her actions to see if she needs her mouse during shed or not.

[afsgr88]

Coincidentally enough, my albino burm just showed the first signs of shedding last night. It's his first shed with me, so now I can tell that, in his case, the eyes turn cloudy and pink, and his yellow/orange tones turn a bit pinkish as well. And it was feeding day, and he refused a rat. So now I know what I am working with here xD

[Kathryntheclean]

Well, then, that helps quite a bit!

[GyGbeetle]

Not one of my piggies refuse feed during shed. They defy the odds. They just don't care. And when you look at their girth, you can see it.

[Kathryntheclean]

Our Alex is like a pencil. Girth and length are pretty much identical to a pencil! How big do they get, as in plump? What's healthy?

[Andy_G]

Honestly it wouldn't be a big deal to feed in shed...it just shouldn't be the goal. What i mentioned in the earlier post are kind of long shots but legitimate reasons to avoid it when possible. :)

They can be as thick as a golf ball, give or take...maybe the size of 4 or 5 pencils bunched together?

[Kathryntheclean]

Hummmmm. I just hate not to feed an animal who's on a schedule. As a chunky lady, I'd feel pretty darn sad if someone neglected to give me my Thursday mouse!

[EL Ziggy]

I don't feed any of my snakes during shed anymore. I love how hungry they are post shed so they get a good hearty meal with their new skins. :)

[afsgr88]

I don't feed any of my snakes during shed anymore. I love how hungry they are post shed so they get a good hearty meal with their new skins. :)

That's indeed quite satisfying to watch and experience :D

[GyGbeetle]

I don't feed any of my snakes during shed anymore. I love how hungry they are post shed so they get a good hearty meal with their new skins. :)

you're brave! I'd be terrified of getting bit, or the "evil eye". I think I'm more scared of the "evil eye". the retics will side eye me; it's quite terrifying.