Neonate still hasn't shed

[RandyRhoads]

Day 11 and still nothing. Shouldn't he at least be showing signs of shedding by now? Or do neonates not go into blue? Humidity is high and plenty of heat....

[millertime89]

My retic and my ball don't really go into blue, they just kind of dull up and you can only really tell in the perfect light. My BRB gets super blue and my dwarf burm (in shed now, woot!) is kind of in the middle. Its my understanding that every snake is different, yours may go blue, it may not.

[RandyRhoads]

Isn't the first shed supposed to happen a week after being born?

[millertime89]

That I don't know. I believe I've read it can take anywhere from 1-3 weeks. But I'm not 100% sure and that was for retics. I'm not too familiar with boas.

[unknownclown]

They do just be patient. It all depends on the snake, when ours had babies some did right away while others were weeks apart. They were all housed in the same conditions so I guess they differ in their growth spurts.

[RandyRhoads]

Do I still wait to feed him even if he doesn't shed for a long time, or now that it's going on two weeks can I get him fat and happy?

[millertime89]

I would offer him anyways. But that's just me.
disclaimer: I have no experience with hatchlings, so I'm not sure the protocol on exactly when to feed them, but I would say if its time, its time.

[RandyRhoads]

I read that you wait about a week for the first shed then feed, and if you do it before it can have serious effects on their digestive system. I'm not sure if it meant before the shed or before the first week. Can anyone clear this up so I don't mess him up or starve him?

[Jay]

The longest one of my neonates went was 13 days, I'd wait a few more days. Is it possible the shed is hidden? It could be in the form of a compressed ball.

[RandyRhoads]

I guess it's possible, i'll check his substrate.
There's no way the shed in the first day or two is there? He looks like he's just shed since he was born. If the shed doesn't happen in a couple days should I go ahead and feed him?

[unknownclown]

I didn't have an issue feeding before shed either. If its hungry feed it.

[RandyRhoads]

Know one here has heard of any bad effects caused by feeding before the first shed?

[millertime89]

negative ghostrider.

[RandyRhoads]

negative ghostrider.


:blink::blink::blink::blink: Haven't heard that in a while.

[millertime89]

:blink::blink::blink::blink: Haven't heard that in a while.

I use it somewhat regularly. It usually makes people smile because its such a weird thing to say and at the same time an awesome reference.