Handling during shed? - Page 2

**millertime89** · 09-26-14, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiiarah

I would love a video illustrating it, just for the peace of mind that I am doing it correctly.

You bet. I'll get on it tonight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiiarah

I think the reason things are so complicated right now is every symptom I find for dehydration is also listed as a symptom of shedding. So as far as acting like a snake, he has really been tucked away in his hide for the last couple of days. If it weren't for the shed I would be concerned but I know this isn't abnormal during shed. I guess all of this will be easier to evaluate when that is done, but I hate having to wait.

He's probably fine. Just let him do his thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiiarah

This is actually the first post I have used the quoting feature in, but seeing how much clearer your response was with it motivated me to learn how to do the same. Lol It took quite a bit longer than I care to admit to figure it out though, deleted the message body on accident like 4 times.

Once you figure it out it's pretty nice. Also instead of clicking "Submit" and then deleting it you can click "Preview".

**EL Ziggy** · 09-26-14, 08:39 PM

Sounds like somebody is getting ready for a first shed

. If your temps and humidity are in the proper ranges and he has access to food and clean water he should be fine. I'm no vet but it doesn't sound like he's ill or dehydrated to me. As far as weighing snakes, some people never do. I weigh mine once or twice a month after they've "expelled" their last meal. It's not necessary, I just like to keep track of their growth. Being a new snake parent sure is hard work

.

kiiarah · 09-26-14, 08:47 PM

It really is hard work, not in that it is difficult but I just feel like I can hardly take in everything I am trying to track and watch for and read about lol. It helps so much though when others who have been through it confirm that all sounds well. I really would be losing my mind without the forums.

I can't wait until this all becomes second nature.

I have decided I will try offering him food when I get home. He probably won't be interested, but just in case he is I figure worst case I am out an uneaten mouse, which is a sacrifice I am willing to make. I just know if i don't try I am going to be in full panic mode for the next week worrying that he is starving. I really am a basketcase lately, but it is worth it.

**millertime89** · 09-26-14, 11:38 PM

20140926_222312_zpsopsfnevt.mp4 Video by KKMpunkrock2011 | Photobucket

kiiarah · 09-27-14, 01:34 AM

Just watched the video and that makes much more sense now. Your retic is beautiful by the way! I see now that the goal isn't so much to push their lips back as it is to encourage them to open their mouth so you can see. How fragile are their teeth? Is there any danger of breaking them or are they just good about opening up before that would be a risk?

Thanks so much for posting that, now I am going to have to search around for some pictures of healthy and unhealthy snake mouths for comparison.

Since bringing Shesha home my entire internet history seems to be these forums, images of different sized feeder rats, and pythons. These days it is common for the kids to come out and find mommy looking up places to buy dead rodents. Shocking how few questions they ask. lol

**millertime89** · 09-29-14, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiiarah

Just watched the video and that makes much more sense now. Your retic is beautiful by the way!

Thanks! He's my favorite animal even if he's not the rarest or most visually stunning. His attitude is awesome. I don't even have to use a snake hook to get him out. Glad I could help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiiarah

I see now that the goal isn't so much to push their lips back as it is to encourage them to open their mouth so you can see. How fragile are their teeth? Is there any danger of breaking them or are they just good about opening up before that would be a risk?

They lose teeth periodically anyway so I'm not too worried about it. Like sharks they're constantly losing teeth and growing new ones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiiarah

Thanks so much for posting that, now I am going to have to search around for some pictures of healthy and unhealthy snake mouths for comparison.

Since bringing Shesha home my entire internet history seems to be these forums, images of different sized feeder rats, and pythons. These days it is common for the kids to come out and find mommy looking up places to buy dead rodents. Shocking how few questions they ask. lol

None of these are my pictures. All from google.
Healthy

Early stages (note the yellowing)

Bad (note the plaque buildup and what appears to be the early formation of sores)

Worst (extreme plaque buildup, so bad you can't even see the flesh on the vast majority of the inside of the mouth

kiiarah · 09-29-14, 05:30 PM

That looks awful for them.

I was lucky enough the other night to happen to be holding Shesha about four inches from my face when he yawned, lol, so I got a very good view and he seems to have a lovely clear mouth, lighter in color than the snake in the first pic but definitely not yellow. He seems to love smelling faces and often rests his chin on my nose. Hopefully he keeps it up, would sure make inspecting his mouth easy.

**millertime89** · 09-29-14, 06:50 PM

Different species have different color mouths. Just look at the home page of this site for an example. You can google "Ball python yawn" to see different examples of mouth coloration.

kiiarah · 09-29-14, 07:06 PM

Yep that was the first thing I did, and he looks very much like the other ball pythons on Google images. The coloration in the first picture looked so similar to bp patterning I thought for a minute perhaps he should be pinker, but all is well.

**millertime89** · 09-29-14, 08:55 PM

First one's a burm.