My BCI about to shed

Kettennatter · 09-08-12, 07:34 AM

I had to take my BCI out to maintain her enclosure, even though I normally just like to let her be. Looks like she already started to rub herself against something, and at this rate I give her maybe a week until her shed is complete.

It was an interesting exercise to take this pic, with the tail of the snake hooked in one of my belt loops, holding her with one hand and the camera with the other.

lumpbump · 09-17-12, 09:26 AM

Its interesting enough till you get bit

The liquid that forms between the old skin and new skin ie; the substance that causes their eyes to become opaque or blue causes vision impairment and generally when you dull vision in somehing they can become more edgy cause they can't see as well. Nice picture though. Also, I've heard that handling snakes in shed can cause damage to the new skin. Blue phase is around mid shed lasting a few days to a week. After they clear up is usually a few days till shed. I've been lucky enough to catch one of my snakes beginning their shed. I always thought they rub on something to start the shed but always wondered why the head of the shed is always complete. I saw how they "yawn" really big to start the shed then sorta roll it up on themselvs as they rub against themself. Real neat to actually see a shed from beginning to end.

Kettennatter · 09-17-12, 09:51 AM

I find that different snakes react differently to the onset of the shed and the eye caps. Only one of mine becomes defensive. Oddly enough, almost all of them eat straight through the shed, so I need to clean up after them.

Some like the shed in private. My boa doesn't seem to care, and one of my king snakes seems to prefer and audience. I have seen the "yawn", but my corns and kings seem to rub their noses first.

The boa above went through a little bit of a slow shed this time. No particular concern on my side yet, as she normally sheds well and frequently.

rmfsnakes32 · 09-17-12, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumpbump

Its interesting enough till you get bit

The liquid that forms between the old skin and new skin ie; the substance that causes their eyes to become opaque or blue causes vision impairment and generally when you dull vision in somehing they can become more edgy cause they can't see as well. Nice picture though. Also, I've heard that handling snakes in shed can cause damage to the new skin. Blue phase is around mid shed lasting a few days to a week. After they clear up is usually a few days till shed. I've been lucky enough to catch one of my snakes beginning their shed. I always thought they rub on something to start the shed but always wondered why the head of the shed is always complete. I saw how they "yawn" really big to start the shed then sorta roll it up on themselvs as they rub against themself. Real neat to actually see a shed from beginning to end.

I got lucky this morning to getting to see a corn shed from start to finish it was so cool to watch!

Kettennatter · 09-17-12, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmfsnakes32

I got lucky this morning to getting to see a corn shed from start to finish it was so cool to watch!

That is a special moment, I do agree. I find that my kings and corns are probably the leas secretive about it.

rmfsnakes32 · 09-17-12, 02:28 PM

Thats true my boas usually shed in their wooden hide logs. The corn happily strolled around the tank while she shed!

moshirimon · 09-17-12, 06:17 PM

Be sure to post after pics. Tht boa looks like it's got some awesome colour