Pics of Omega and a ?

[Artemis]

Hi all- just a couple of snaps of omega. I think his eyes look really silver- does this mean I can expect a shed in 7-10 days? Im really bad at telling the signs. If anyone can tell from the pics, or give me any shed pointers, other than keeping the humidity 60 and above, which im doing, that would be awesome! Ive been thinking about putting some kind of natural oil on the snake to condition it's skin. Is that a load of snake oil or would it help with sheds?

Artemis

[Bristen]

what are your temperatures? You mention humidity was 60% or more, but what about you temps? Those silver eyes could be retained eye caps... or, what I've seen happen to one of my snakes many years ago, was that the tear tubes (that drains the eyes inside of mouth) was getting infected, eyes were not draining properly and eye looked like a metal bearing instead of a black marble.. eyes should be black not silver.. closely watch that in case it's early signs to other problems. It could be as simple as a shed coming though...

Keep us posted,
Bristen.

[jjnnbns]

Most likely a shed if it's been awhile since the last... bring his humidity up around 85% until the shed but DON'T rub oil on him! If you feel that you must assist in some way other than raising humidity, keep something in his enclosure to rub on to help remove the old skin. That planter should work fine...

If he begins shed and it doesn't go too well, place him in a rubbermaid with a towel or paper towel in the bottom and a small amount of water, little enough amount that he doesn't need to *swim* constantly to stay above.

If the water is warm, not hot! and he can cruise around along the towel, then the shed should go fairly well. First try just raising the humidity though.


Brent Strande

PS, is the shed is difficult, check to make sure that there are no retained eyecaps or shed remaining on the tail. If so, try the bath method or gently massage the tail tip to remove.

Good Luck!

[sapphire_moon]

another way to tell if he is going into shed is a pink belly.

I have never seen that mentioned in a book (although i'm sure I haven't read every bp book) But the first time one of my snakes shed I thought he had burned his belly because it was pink.

[Artemis]

Yeah the strange thing is they do still look black unless you catch them at the right angle. Then they look silvery- thats what makes me think its shed time. But, when I first got him, which has been a good three weeks now, his belly did look pink to me- but if that was the case he should have shed before now, right?

I think im just really bad at telling the signs of a shed. I know what they are but I think sometimes I imagine them.


Ok no oil =) and 60 is the humidity on the hot side, it is about 72 on the cool side. Temps are 89-92 ambient on the hot side, with a hot spot of 93- 96 (depending on when I check they change a degree or two but those have been my ranges in the day and night) the cool side stays 80-85 degrees.

He has been spending time on both sides again. Strange thing was, right after he spent all that time on the cool side I mentioned before, which was starting to worry me, he made waste =) (yes both kinds) Once he did this he was Mr. Explorer again, and all the lethargy seemed to go away. Now I regularly see him on both sides of the tank again. Shed seems to be the last "first" I need to hit with him here, and so ive been watching my humidity like crazy. Ill definitely keep a watch on his eyes, And Bristen, thanks for letting me know about that! Lets just hope its only a shed =)

Still the novice, Im afraid

Artemis

[mykee]

60% humidity is excellent for everyday, but when shed time comes, it's 80%+. Your hot side temps are too hot, lower that to 90-95(tops!) and you'll be fine. the cool side should also be warmer, 80-ish. I wouldn't worry about signs to expect a shed, when the eyes go a blueish-grey, it's go time. Good luck.

[Artemis]

Thanks Mykee. The temps I listed are the range I have gotten, but for the largest part of the time my ambient on the hot is 89 with hot spot of 94, and on the cool side is usually right about 80.

They have only fluctuated when I have tinkered with the heat, but I think 80 is as good as the cool side will be if I have ambient 90 with 94 hs on the other side.

[snakehunter]

MY ball's eyes used to turn silver in some spots, i found that a soak cleared them up in no time. now that i switched to rubber maids it never happens.

[killaclown]

Those are great picks