humidity and shedding and eating

[rebel_logan_24]

so i am still new to the carpet scene. i have had diamond about 2 weeks now (she is an IJ x Jag) and she wouldnt eat after the first week which i kind of expected. she is a lot more active now and not stressed from what i can tell and seems to be "hungry" with that look in her eyes.. well i was going to try and feed her last night but noticed that she is starting to dull up on her head like she will be shedding soon.

so my questions are how long does it usually take them to shed?
how often do they normally shed?
and can they eat while shedding?

my second problem is that she is in a 30 gallon tank right now with a locking screen lid. i can get the basking light and temp right but i cannot get the humidity to stay above 45% i have even tried a heavy blanket on top of the screen. the water bowl is inbetween the hot and cool side and the humidity gauge is on the cool side half way down the back of the tank.

will the low humidity make her have problems shedding?
thanks logan

[Norm66]

Someone who knows more than I do will no doubt be along shortly to give you a better answer but...

Some will eat during shed and some won't. I'd say to try it and see. Mine took about two weeks from the time he started hanging out in his water bowl (I'm told they dont' all do that) but only a few days from the time his eyes turned blue.


Yea, the humidity is an issue for shedding. When I kept my carpet in a tank I covered the entire top of the screen top with aluminum foil except for circles cut out for the heat lamp domes (I had two, a white one & a black one on timers). Then I covered the foil with towels. Also a bigger water dish (more surface area means more evaporation) will help as will misting with a water bottle. Normally I would spray mine until it went up to about 80% and then let it get down to 30% or so but I tried to keep it no less than 50% and my JCP shed perfectly.

[Lankyrob]

In the UK we consider Carpets to need "no humidity" BUT our ambient is around 50-60% - you may want to spray the tank to keep it up over 50% especially whilst he is in shed.

My Jungle has never refused a meal whether in shed or not, some snakes do eat some dont. Mine sheds around every 4-6 weeks - as they are growing they shed more often, as they get older they slow down.

With both these last two answers tho EVERY snake is individual.

[shaunyboy]

so i am still new to the carpet scene. i have had diamond about 2 weeks now (she is an IJ x Jag) and she wouldnt eat after the first week which i kind of expected. she is a lot more active now and not stressed from what i can tell and seems to be "hungry" with that look in her eyes.. well i was going to try and feed her last night but noticed that she is starting to dull up on her head like she will be shedding soon.

so my questions are how long does it usually take them to shed?
how often do they normally shed?
and can they eat while shedding?

my second problem is that she is in a 30 gallon tank right now with a locking screen lid. i can get the basking light and temp right but i cannot get the humidity to stay above 45% i have even tried a heavy blanket on top of the screen. the water bowl is inbetween the hot and cool side and the humidity gauge is on the cool side half way down the back of the tank.

will the low humidity make her have problems shedding?
thanks logan


carpets have no specific humidity requirements

i keep carpets into double figures and imo theres no set time frame for a carpet shedding,i've found it to be random lengths of time between sheds

most carpets will eat right through the shedding proccess

the few carpets i have that don't,only stop eating through the blue stage and the week after until they shed

imo your over thinking things (i'm not being cheeky mate)

don't handle the snake,only go near it to change the water every 5 to 7 days

make sure its got plenty,hides,branches and fake plants.this will help it feel secure

after 7 to 10 days offer it prey

i heat the prey item with a hair dryer,always giving the head an extra heat.then i offer on feeding tongs

cheers shaun

[rebel_logan_24]

i probrobly am over thinking it lol

so you dont handle your snakes at all? just go in to mist, change water, clean and to feed?

do you feed in the tank or out of tank?

[shaunyboy]

i probrobly am over thinking it lol

so you dont handle your snakes at all? just go in to mist, change water, clean and to feed?

do you feed in the tank or out of tank?

i don't handle any new snakes until they are eating regular (4 or 5 feeds)

its only carpets i keep,so i don't need to mist

i only handle my snakes when its out of neccessity,i have NO problem with people who handle their snakes when they feel like it though mate

its best to feed in the tank,where your snake feels most secure

re feeding in tank
imo its a myth that feeding in the tank,causes them to bite everytime you open the door,due to them associating door opening with feeding

if you apply the SAME LOGIC to taking them out and feeding in a seperate tank,then surely they would associate being taken out with feeding and bite everytime they were taken out

i mean't your over thinking the dull head = about to shed part mate,they can take weeks to shed after their head dulls down

cheers shaun

[theapexgerman]

it take's my Albino nelson awhile to start shedding but he's getting old and don't shed to much all snake's are different