Shed indicators

[mark129er]

I think it's about time for my girl to shed. What should I look for that will indicate she is going into shed? I have read on here that the eyes change color, is this the best indicator?

Thanks, mark

[Frankie]

I would say that is the best indicator. After you get to know your snake you might see other indicators, I can tell with my Dums they get darker. Her eyes will turn greyish cloudy looking then clear back up then she will shed in 24 to 72 hours usually. Hope this helps.

[Linds]

Pink belly..... they get dull and dingy looking.... sometimes their skin gets a bit baggy on them.... they do become opaque at some point (blue, cloudy eyes and cloudy skin colour) but then they go back to the dull, dingy look right before they shed.

[mark129er]

Is it true that they won't eat when they are in shed?

[Invictus]

Most of my snakes, boas and colubrids, will eat at any point during their shed cycle. We just had some corns take mice when they were still blue-eyed. In many cases as well, we've used feeding as a means to induce shedding when they seem to be taking forever.

[mark129er]

Great, thanks

[JDouglas]

Here is a good example of a boa that is going to shed soon!
http://showcase.netins.net/web/reptiles/stuff/19.JPG

[Linds]

Originally posted by mark129er
Is it true that they won't eat when they are in shed?

Some will eat, some aren't comfortable enough to. What I do with any of mine, is offer it once while they are in shed, and if they do not take it I don't bother offering it to them in the future if they are opaque. Often they become a bit uncomfortable with feeding or handling, while they are opaque they are pretty well blind.

[Solid Snake]

my boa becomes really saggy and when i go to try to pick him up, he'll hiss a bit.