Is this a shed??

Xyon · 04-05-04, 07:25 AM

I 'think' my Kye is a little cloudy over the eyes but I really cant tell! also, he's hiding alot when normally he has a look about when anyone goes near his tank.. he just retreats as tiny as he can get! the problem is is that i cant see him to see if he's clouding over!
he's been tucked away in a larger locked vivarium whilst the sister's cat came to stay the weekend (in his baby viv.. which was then put inside his larger viv!) so he's had some quiet these past few days! could that be why he's so shy suddenly??

Thanks guys.

snakehunter · 04-05-04, 07:57 AM

Sound slike he may be in shed, but we/you would need to see him for a poss. diagnosis.

HeatherK · 04-05-04, 11:29 AM

When was the last completed shed cycle? If it's been about three weeks, he's due for another one. They'll start to hide before they look really cloudy, so it's likely just a shed cycle. You can peek in on him in a few days to make sure that's what it is if you want, by then it'll be more obvious.

Auskan · 04-05-04, 11:34 AM

I'm not sure you can say that they're "due" for a shed after a certain amount of time as so much depends on other factors. They shed when they're growing but growth depends on the amount and frequency of feeding as well as individual metabolism (a week ago I had a corn snake shed for the first time since I got her 4 months ago, even though she is fed on the same schedule as the others and has tested negative for parasites; she is just a slow grower).

Xyon · 04-05-04, 05:11 PM

this little guy is probably only about 2 months, i think my dealer has taken a vow of silence or something but he hasnt replied to my email asking him when the last shed was.. he gets fed once every five days.. today was meant to be his next meal.. Im debating whether to put something in there for him anyway and take it out before i go to be.. is it worth it???

Auskan · 04-05-04, 11:12 PM

Some people don't feed during a shed cycle. I continue to offer food and have never had them refuse to eat. If their eyes are blue they can sometimes be a little jumpy as their vision is impaired, but I find that they rely much more heavily on smell (and heat of the prey) than vision when it comes to eating, so impaired vision makes no difference in recognizing the food item. I wouldn't hesitate to offer him food - if he doesn't want to eat, he'll refuse and if he does, it won't hurt him.

HeatherK · 04-06-04, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Auskan
I'm not sure you can say that they're "due" for a shed after a certain amount of time as so much depends on other factors.

Always exceptions to every rule, however once a month is usually the norm for a healthy young snake. I was using due as a figure of speech btw lol

Earlier sheds can be caused by scale damage (even a parasite infestation) and shedding will always slow once growth does.

It won't hurt the snake in the least to go without food during this time, plus it's doubtful that in the wild when they're in shed and vulnerable to predators that they would be out hunting. Their appetites will be large once the shed is completed however, so don't worry if he's not one to eat during a cycle if you do try it.