Shed Questions

**Minkness** · 12-27-14, 11:34 PM

My girl is in blue as I write this, so, I have some questions.

While in blue should extra humidity be provided via a moist box?

How long does it normally take for a blue cycle to finish from the first signs?

Activity levels during blue?

Handling during blue?

Early signs of a difficult shed?

Any other tips or tricks to help ensuring an easy/fast shed?

When is it ok to step in to help a bad shed?

My experience with shedding is with my geckos who get extra humidity when I first notice the color change. It takes 1-3 days for a full shed to be 100% removed, but they eat their shed so no evidence! Out of all of my geckos I have one that always requires some kind of help during his shed regardless of humidity and proper diet (he's my special needs boy as he also likes to randomly go on hunger strikes. ...jerk...)

**EL Ziggy** · 12-28-14, 12:09 AM

If your temps and humidity are good your snake should have good sheds. Every snake is different but mine take about 7-10 days to complete a shed cycle. They're usually pretty inactive during this time. They'll go blue for a few days, clear up for a day or two, and then they'll shed. I will bump their humidity up a bit by adding a moist hide or misting their tanks, but that's about it. I don't handle them unless it's necessary but I will feed them. Some snakes don't eat during shed and some will. It doesn't hurt to feed them or to wait until they're finished shedding.

SSSSnakes · 12-28-14, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EL-Ziggy

If your temps and humidity are good your snake should have good sheds. Every snake is different but mine take about 7-10 days to complete a shed cycle. They're usually pretty inactive during this time. They'll go blue for a few days, clear up for a day or two, and then they'll shed. I will bump their humidity up a bit by adding a moist hide or misting their tanks, but that's about it. I don't handle them unless it's necessary but I will feed them. Some snakes don't eat during shed and some will. It doesn't hurt to feed them or to wait until they're finished shedding.

Nice answers. I don't spray or add a moist hide and the majority of my snake shed just fine. As stated, if your husbandry is good, the shed will be also. If the snake needs more humidity, they will go soak in their water bowl.

Derek1 · 12-28-14, 09:19 AM

My Garter and Cal King don't move or eat while in Blue. The will a couple days later when they clear up. My Garter likes to soak in his bowl before shed, my Cal doesn't. No problems shedding for either.

**Minkness** · 12-28-14, 11:48 AM

Thanks for your answers!

Obsidian_Dragon · 12-29-14, 11:43 AM

My MBK becomes a blue colored lump while in shed. Curls up in his humid hide, generally refuses food, and doesn't want to move. I will offer food if he's in the clear-eyed phase, but I often have to leave it in the enclosure as he won't strike at the mouse on the tongs at all. And I had better leave it in his hide with him or he won't bother to move and find it. XD

I made some comments about a humid hide in the Kings thread.

**Minkness** · 12-29-14, 01:02 PM

Thanks for the info on that! She's less active but still a bit active. I'll try feeding tonight or tomorrow and see what her response is. Usually shes voracious so it will be odd seeing her refuse a meal lol