shedding questions, "stunting" questions

Sasquatch · 12-31-14, 02:59 AM

Hey, I'm still pretty much a beginner with snakes. My question is how long does a shed take? I recently noticed foggy eyes in my new carpet, about two days later they were clear. They have been clear for two days now, how long until he sheds? I can't wait for him to shed so i can hold him again. Also the tank has a screen top, a uth and a heat lamp. I noticed my humidity was around 40 percent and i wanted it higher, especially for the shed, so i removed the heat lamp and put some wax paper over most of the screen lid to trap humidity.
Now my humidity is 70-80, would this be okay to keep short term until my buddy sheds? I know too much moisture can cause belly rot and problems with mold etc but is it okay for a few days until he sheds? Figure it would help.

Also i am ordering a snake from a very reputable breeder, he said that it is actually healthier for male carpet pythons to be fed less often once they are adults and kept around 3-4 feet. He said in his 20 years of breeding experience, once a male reaches sexual maturity, those who are fed a small meal about every 3 weeks are healthier, more energetic, breed better and live longer than males that are fed more and grow larger. How do you feel about that belief?

**EL Ziggy** · 12-31-14, 09:53 AM

Your snake should shed any day now. Mine usually shed 1-3 days after they clear up. I don't keep carpets (yet), so I can't help with humidity and size questions, but I'm sure the experienced carpet keepers will chime in soon.

reptiledude987 · 12-31-14, 11:37 AM

Ya he should shed within 5 days of eyes clearing. humidity depends on what type of carpet it is. jungles require different conditiond than something like a Bredli or diamond. So humidity is hard to say without knowing what type of carpet it is.

Sasquatch · 12-31-14, 12:20 PM

Don't know what type of carpet he is, someone brought him in the pet store who didn't know

it's been guessed he is coastal and/or ij.

reptiledude987 · 12-31-14, 12:23 PM

coastal and IJ have different requirements post a pic and we should be able to tell you what it is.

Sasquatch · 12-31-14, 12:34 PM

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bz2h...p=docslist_api

Noticed some mold in his substrate and on the side of his wood hide today. Didn't realize it would grow so fast and i figured i was doing him a favor with his shed keeping it extra humid. I will remove the area of substrate with the mold but how would you suggest i clean the hide?

reptiledude987 · 12-31-14, 12:38 PM

Damn I cant open that pic. I'm at work and web filter blocks it lol. I'm sure someone else will be able to look and see. Clean the hide with bleach and rinse very thoroughly with water after. Make sure bleach is rinsed off 100%!!!

Sasquatch · 12-31-14, 12:56 PM

The problem though is the hide is wood... So its porous so i can't just wipe it or rinse it. What if i were to soak the affected corner of it in some diluted bleach solution, then soaked in clean water a few times and allowed to air dry?

Should i replace all the substrate or is removing the affected areas sufficient?

reptiledude987 · 12-31-14, 01:06 PM

Be on the safe side and replace all substrate. As long as the wood hide dosent soak in the bleach ang you just give it a good scrub a thorough rinse should suffice.

Sasquatch · 12-31-14, 01:11 PM

Okay thanks.

Sasquatch · 01-01-15, 01:02 PM

He just shed last night. It was a good, complete shed. He looks extra bright now, here's a pic if anyone wants to try to id him. https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bz2h...p=docslist_api

**Minkness** · 01-01-15, 01:49 PM

I love how he looks like coffee and cream!

Sasquatch · 01-01-15, 02:19 PM

Yeah he has nice constrast

reptiledude987 · 01-02-15, 11:07 AM

Looks like an IJ or Coastal X IJ

reptiledude987 · 01-02-15, 11:08 AM

My Jag Ij is one of my prettiest carpets cant wait till shes at breeding age!