I'm a little bit worried...

nazanova · 07-28-14, 07:21 AM

So my Corn snake had signs of pre shed for a few days such as darkness of the skin, misty eyes, hiding all day etc. But I've checked on him today and he's back to normal! With no signs of shed skin anywhere! Please help because I'm rather worried.

eminart · 07-28-14, 07:29 AM

He'll shed soon. The "blue" phase goes away before they shed.

nazanova · 07-28-14, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eminart

He'll shed soon. The "blue" phase goes away before they shed.

Ok that's good news I got so worried that I'd done something wrong. I'm new to snake keeping so I just thought they stay in the blue phase until they start shedding. He's due for a feed today so do you think I should feed him or wait until after he's finished shedding? And do you approximately in what time frame he'll start shedding now he's out of the blue phase? Sorry for being such a pest.

pdomensis · 07-28-14, 07:59 AM

Shed usually happens about 3 days after the blue clears, but can be shorter or longer. I would wait to feed. He's not going to starve in that time, and if he is reluctant to feed then you've wasted a mouse.

Obsidian_Dragon · 07-28-14, 08:02 AM

My little king just did this last week. He refused to eat in blue BUT did take a mouse Tuesday while in the clear phase, so it's worth trying. He shed two days later.

On the other hand, it wouldn't hurt to wait another couple of days until he sheds, either.

nazanova · 07-28-14, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdomensis

Shed usually happens about 3 days after the blue clears, but can be shorter or longer. I would wait to feed. He's not going to starve in that time, and if he is reluctant to feed then you've wasted a mouse.

Ok thank you for your help, glad he's ok. I'm almost 100% sure he'd take a mouse if I offered it to him I just don't want him to use lots of energy to eat then be exhausted when he has to shed.

nazanova · 07-28-14, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obsidian_Dragon

My little king just did this last week. He refused to eat in blue BUT did take a mouse Tuesday while in the clear phase, so it's worth trying. He shed two days later.

On the other hand, it wouldn't hurt to wait another couple of days until he sheds, either.

Oh good I'm so happy to hear it's a common thing I got so concerned for him, I always make myself sound like such a drama queen lol. I know for a fact he'd eat but like I said to pdomensis I don't want him to have no energy when it comes to shedding after he's eaten do I don't know.

Jim Smith · 07-28-14, 08:33 AM

Also, depending on which substrate you use (Aspen etc.) and how much you use, many of the smaller snakes will crawl through the bedding material to facilitate the shedding process. Often the shed skin will be completely buried in the substrate. I use Aspen substrate and this happens quite often with my Hondurans. You may have to comb your fingers through the bedding to find the shed skin.

nazanova · 07-28-14, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

Also, depending on which substrate you use (Aspen etc.) and how much you use, many of the smaller snakes will crawl through the bedding material to facilitate the shedding process. Often the shed skin will be completely buried in the substrate. I use Aspen substrate and this happens quite often with my Hondurans. You may have to comb your fingers through the bedding to find the shed skin.

Yeah I use aspen shedding and I combed through it just incase he had done what you said but nope not one but of shed skin so I guess It's just a waiting game.

Obsidian_Dragon · 07-28-14, 10:51 AM

Don't worry nazanova, you aren't the only one asking these type of questions, haha. See my own "Can't tell if MBK is being weird, or not" thread. XD

Everyone here is very nice about it.

SnoopySnake · 07-28-14, 10:58 AM

As everyone else said, your snake will shed soon

Regarding feeding, whether you wait or not is up to you. You could always offer food, and if he doesn't take it, then you'll know that he doesn't eat while he's getting ready to shed, and not to offer next time. Out of the four snakes I've had, only one doesn't eat when its in shed.

nazanova · 07-28-14, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnoopySnake

As everyone else said, your snake will shed soon

Regarding feeding, whether you wait or not is up to you. You could always offer food, and if he doesn't take it, then you'll know that he doesn't eat while he's getting ready to shed, and not to offer next time. Out of the four snakes I've had, only one doesn't eat when its in shed.

Yeah I think I'll offer him food just to see if he is the kind of snake that eats during pre shed or not so I know for next time. Thanks for the advice

nazanova · 07-28-14, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obsidian_Dragon

Don't worry nazanova, you aren't the only one asking these type of questions, haha. See my own "Can't tell if MBK is being weird, or not" thread. XD

Everyone here is very nice about it.

Haha yeah this forum is amazing and everyone is so nice. I feel so silly sometimes when asking people things but I guess it's better to ask so I can provide the best care for my animal then let "embarrassment" or "pride" potentially affect the health of my pet.

CosmicOwl · 07-29-14, 02:09 AM

I wouldn't feed. I don't think there is anything wrong with feeding during shed, but a lot of snakes won't take food and you end up wasting a mouse.

nazanova · 07-29-14, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmicOwl

I wouldn't feed. I don't think there is anything wrong with feeding during shed, but a lot of snakes won't take food and you end up wasting a mouse.

I fed him a small pinkie yesterday and he took it off me as he always does. I made sure it was really small so he didn't use all his energy digesting it then be tired when it's time for him to shed.