Can you handle your snake while it's shedding?

maiden_canada · 10-13-03, 01:07 PM

hey im wondering if its alright to hold my snake between when its eyes turn blue and when it actually is shedding.

Alex Dew · 10-13-03, 01:56 PM

Hey, Welcome to the forum!

I hold my bp when she is in shed, just dont hold her in the next 48hrs after she has eaten.
Make sure that the humidity is high when she goes into shed.

Thanks

Alex

TheRedDragon · 10-13-03, 02:05 PM

I don't really recommend it, because it can really stress them out....especially when the eye caps are still on (when they're blue), because the snake cannot see that well at that point. Snakes in general tend to be fairly stressed while going through the shed process. But, on the otherhand, I find that they can be quite placid while in shed, and I have handled them while cleaning their enclosure, but, no longer than neccessary.

mykee · 10-13-03, 02:48 PM

I personally do not handle any of my snakes during shed at all. It seems that being in shed is stressful enough, and having me handle them would only add to that.

Tim_Cranwill · 10-13-03, 03:42 PM

Same advice from me too...

I was once trying to pop (sex) a snake that I didn't know was in the last stages of a shed cycle and some of the skin rubbed off in my hands. Luckily this snake was JUST about to shed so no real harm was done. It is a good idea to give them time to finish the shed just in case something does happen though. Also, like others have said, snakes can be a bit more shy or aggressive when in a shed cycle.

One thing you could try if you want to handle a snake while yours is in shed.... buy more snakes!

That was there's bound to be one that isn't in a shed cycle or still digesting a meal.

lilyskip · 10-13-03, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cranwill
One thing you could try if you want to handle a snake while yours is in shed.... buy more snakes! That was there's bound to be one that isn't in a shed cycle or still digesting a meal.

Haha! That's my strategy exactly.

daver676 · 10-13-03, 06:57 PM

Yeah, I think snakes go through enough stress during the shedding process without being handled. Why make it harder on them?

BoidKeeper · 10-13-03, 07:00 PM

I'm with the above, don't touch em. You'll notice that they seem to disapear even more then normal during a shed cycle so it's best to just leave them be. The skin can be acidently removed before it's ready to come off while the eyes are blue and after they clear so it's best to just leave them be.
Cheers,
Trevor

RepTylE · 10-13-03, 07:39 PM

I am in the majority on this one. Having to deal with shedding is more than enough to deal with. Lol at the buy more snakes strategy, hey that works for me, oh wait I have been doing that, now I have perfectly good rationale for it

sapphire_moon · 10-13-03, 08:14 PM

I usually leave them alone while in shed. The only time I pick them up (while in shed) is when I have to clean their cages.

Clownfishie · 10-13-03, 10:07 PM

As everyone has stated -- you shouldn't handle your snakes more than is necessary for mainteance while they're in shed -- too stressful for them.

Invictus · 10-14-03, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cranwill
One thing you could try if you want to handle a snake while yours is in shed.... buy more snakes! That was there's bound to be one that isn't in a shed cycle or still digesting a meal.

LOL.. this is great advice. This is what we do. We split up the feeding schedule so only half are digesting at any given time. Plus we have 25 snakes now, so only 3-5 of them are in shed at any given time. Works for us.

Jayson · 10-14-03, 04:26 PM

I read somewhere before that handling your snake while it is shed cycle can possibly damage the newly developing skin underneath.
I dont know this for a fact, but i have read and heard of this before.

Linds · 10-14-03, 09:13 PM

The main concern with handling snakes too soon to the time they shed is breaking the old layer of skin open. There is a layer of lubricating fluid forming beneath the old layer and the new layer that you want to preserve. Its usually fine tohandle them while opaque, but you want to be careful as you get closer to the actual shed time. Some snakes become irritable while opaque, while some are much easier to handle than usual. If your snake is upset, leave it alone, if not then there is no harm while opaque. After that stage, imho, you run too high of a risk of breaking the old layer open to be handling your snake for pleasure.