Corn Snake shedding ..... or not

[Galaxy]

Hi all. Firstly, Gary still hasn't eaten. He seems ok though and his temperment seems to have settled. But, the other day he seemed a bit off colour - literally. His skin was almost milky white and his eyes were all fogged over - I was very excited because this is going to be his first shedding since I got him. Well I have left him alone (which has been very difficult because I normally have him out several times a day), but he still hasn't shed and he now looks back to normal. His eyes look clear and his skin is yellow again. I have emptied his viv and there is definately no shed skin in there........ Any suggestions? Thanx :(

[Norm66]

Some snakes shed within a day of going opaque (turning milky) others take a week or so to do it. He'll shed soon, don't worry. :)

[Lankyrob]

Most snakes go back to "normal" before shedding their skin, anything from 1-10days after they will shed - be patient :) you have 20+ years for cuddels :)

[Galaxy]

Tee hee. I am just an impatient old woman, and I worry. Ha ha ha. I just thought it was odd how one day he was all pale and milky, then he looks fine, but still very sluggish. And also he hasn't eaten so ..... I just get concerned. Thank you so much for your comments and I will let you know how he gets on .....

[Galaxy]

OMG OMG OMG. I have just spent the past hour watching Gary shed his skin. The most amazing thing I have watched. I have read that it is supposed to come off in one piece - but it hasn't. It is coming off in patches. He still has some bits stuck to him. Is there anything I can do to help?

[Tekpc007]

I usually get a small plastic box with a lid that about 6 x 8 x 3 inches and put some damp moss in it and put the snake in for about 20 minutes or so and he does the rest. You can also see if he will crawl thru a warm damp wash cloth that your holding onto several times as that will help alot.

[Norm66]

I've never got to see a snake shed so you're one up on me. A little soak and you can usually pick the skin off pretty easily. Just don't pull too hard. The key things are to make sure the eyes, mouth, nostrils, vent and tail are all shed properly and there's no continuous ring of old skin all the way around the snake anywhere. If all that is OK then it's ok to just leave it on. Next time Gary (great name by the way) turns blue up his humidity a little bit and he'll likely shed in one piece for you.

[Galaxy]

Thank you for all your advice. Norm, I did raise the humidity, but perhaps a bit later than required. I just checked his viv and there are loads of bits of skin off him now. Off to clean it out and make sure there are no bits in the areas you suggested. Wow, amazing. And he looks so pretty again. :)

[Chunkyrebelmunk]

Give him a while he'll skin mine normally take about 36 hours to skin when they go clear again hope this helps. To a concerned parent lol

[Skumbo]

Hi all. Firstly, Gary still hasn't eaten. He seems ok though and his temperment seems to have settled. But, the other day he seemed a bit off colour - literally. His skin was almost milky white and his eyes were all fogged over - I was very excited because this is going to be his first shedding since I got him. Well I have left him alone (which has been very difficult because I normally have him out several times a day), but he still hasn't shed and he now looks back to normal. His eyes look clear and his skin is yellow again. I have emptied his viv and there is definately no shed skin in there........ Any suggestions? Thanx :(

My milksnake does EXACTLY this *every* time he sheds and hasnt had a shed that wasn't perfect yet in his entire life.

Happened yesterday actually, I thought he shed so i was moving substrate around to find it, but he didnt shed until today. He takes about 8-10 days to shed from when i first notice hes getting milky, so just give it time.

(upon reading he already shed)

bump your humidity a bit, you may want to invest in a proper hygrometer as well, better for your snake and peace of mind.

[Norm66]

No problem. Glad to help.