Shedding?

[stlphotogal]

Our ball just shed for the 2nd time since we've had him (Mar 27) - he has a tree branch of sorts for climbing, etc. but he didn't use it to help his shed - he just twisted himself around and used his aspen bedding to help pull it off. Just wondering how this normally works (as in the wild I'm sure they use anything they can to get it off). Also, does anyone know if the pink belly prior to shed hurts the snake - my husband was curious. Lastly, does the shed process wear them out? Our snake seemed extra sleepy the day after he shed...

Thanks, in advance, for the info!

[shaunyboy]

imo its a tad uncomfy for the snake nearing the shedding process.

theres eyes go blue and they cant see so imo will feel vulnarable

imo i dont think its so much painfull as uncomfortable for them

imo i think it tires them out also i think they tend to feel cooler or it may be to dry any exccessive amounts of the oily substancethat helps them shed.

my reason for saying this is the only time any of my carpets go sit up the hot end (usually under the ceramic is right after they shed.they usually stay there for 2 to 3 days.just remembered they sometimes sit under the heat source 2 or 3 days before they actually shed.it may have something to do with heating the oil like substance that appears between their old and new skin.

i'm sure willow can give us a more scientific answer on this

that said they sometimes go up to their hot end for 1 or 2 days after a feed.imo to help digest their food.

cheers shaun

[citysnakes]

the entire shedding process must be metabolically taxing considering that within days the snake produces an entirely new outer layer of skin. the separation process of the old from the new layer of skin is facilitated by enzymatic and other reactions within the fluid that builds up in between them. low humidity and dehydration are the most common reasons for poor sheds but malnutrition, low temperatures and metabolic dysfunction can also be a primary cause. this means that if your snake is underfed or cannot raise its body temperature to function metabolically then this can affect shedding. all animals grow new skin cells and shed dead ones, this requires energy and is not painful so i would think that the entire shedding process for a snake requires lots of energy and is not painful.

hope this helps and makes sense... its 1:30 AM...