New Mexican Black Kingsnake

TheBoogieDown · 08-29-12, 06:26 PM

Sooo, I've been on here posing questions... So, my roommate just went out and bought herself a Mexican Black Kingsnake. It is very pretty... and HIGHLY active. I'll post some pictures when I get a chance. My primary question here, for now, I'm sure I'll have tons more is this: how often do these snakes shed? According to this chart we were given at the time of purchase, this snake shed after 9 days, then again 4 days later, then again a week later... Is this normal??

EDIT: He just shed, again... This is two days after his last shed... Is this something to be concerned of?

Jlassiter · 08-29-12, 07:23 PM

Kings should not shed that much....
I've never heard of that before.

When they are young and growing they may shed once every month and a half or so.....
Adults shed about 6 times a year or so....all depends on feeding.....

Gungirl · 08-29-12, 07:34 PM

Can't mites or other parasites cause them to shed more often as well as healing from an injury such as a burn or cut?

Jlassiter · 08-29-12, 07:46 PM

Maybe...never had those problems.....
Could be a possibility but the OP did not mention any of that.....

TheBoogieDown · 08-29-12, 08:46 PM

I wish I knew, my roommate just got him from PetSmart today. Not even 4 hour ago. And we had him home all of... 40 minutes to an hour when I looked at his terrarium and he had shed... Full shedding, no problems.

TheBoogieDown · 08-29-12, 09:03 PM

Here's the skin, not to be gross or anything, I'm just shocked that he's shed so often, and so cleanly! And a picture of him.

Volcom269 · 08-29-12, 10:11 PM

Is it possible the charts might be off.. I know this isn't very helpful but that is way too much shedding.

Jlassiter · 08-29-12, 10:21 PM

Yeah...it doesn't even sound possible.....
If this is the first shed you've witnessed then let us know when it sheds again in your care......

TheBoogieDown · 08-29-12, 10:25 PM

This may (or may not) help. I am REALLY hoping that these charts are off. I am posting a picture for you guys to look at as well, so I know that I didn't just go full moron and misread something. If you look closely, you can see where it says "Shed" or "Shedding" in very odd places. I didn't actually view this until after we got him (or her) home.

Jlassiter · 08-30-12, 07:32 AM

I think that chart shows that the snake was in a shed cycle starting on 8/16 then finally shed on 8/20.
I don't know why it shows it in another shed cycle staring on 8/27 though.....

TheBoogieDown · 08-30-12, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jlassiter

I think that chart shows that the snake was in a shed cycle starting on 8/16 then finally shed on 8/20.
I don't know why it shows it in another shed cycle staring on 8/27 though.....

That actually makes sense, as the wording is "shedding" and then "shed"... Still makes me scratch my head as to why it shed yesterday.

Lankyrob · 08-30-12, 09:38 AM

Looking at his enclosure it would be better with hides at both ends of the viv and is there a waterbowl in there??

TheBoogieDown · 08-30-12, 12:26 PM

At the time of the picture, no. The water bowl was being washed after I took the skin out of the bowl. He was soaking this morning and then burrowed next to the water bowl.

Jlassiter · 08-30-12, 12:42 PM

Sounds like he wants moisture/humidity.....
What kind of heating are you using?

I know you've only had it for a short time...I'm just curious.....

TheBoogieDown · 08-30-12, 01:00 PM

Well, we started out with a heating pad. But when the AC would kick on, it would drop his temp down to 65-70, so I am now using a heat lamp to keep his temperature (during the day) at 80. As for humidity, he stays at about 60%, but I read somewhere they like 50%, but I keep a moist rag over his lid and that keeps the humidity from fluctuating to badly and I don't have to hover over his tank misting constantly. Of course, I'm running into the problem of having to fold back the rag to use the light haha.