Adult Cali king sheds too often?

Kingsnakechris · 09-08-12, 11:34 AM

My Cali king snake is a BIG boy. He's probably the biggest cal king I have seen in captivity but he sheds every few weeks!! I'm just wondering if that's a bad thing, and if so, how do I correct it? I feed him every three weeks. He eats a small rat ( the biggest SMALL rat I can get). The humidity isn't an issue because he sheds in one piece every time and I doubt very much he is still growing. Any suggestions??

Lankyrob · 09-08-12, 02:54 PM

Be interested to hear peoples thouts on this, my adult corn has started tovshed every 3-4 weeks also, no issues with temps, humidity, mites etc etc and he seems perfectly healthy. He also sheds all in one piece

RandyRhoads · 09-08-12, 03:03 PM

If it's all in one peice, i'd say he's just healthy and growing quick.

Jlassiter · 09-08-12, 03:29 PM

After a king eats a meal that leaves a lump it will trigger a shed cycle because the scales spread apart with the large meal......

Feeding a large meal every three weeks routinely is causing the sheds to occur just as often.....

Lankyrob · 09-08-12, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jlassiter

After a king eats a meal that leaves a lump it will trigger a shed cycle because the scales spread apart with the large meal......

Feeding a large meal every three weeks routinely is causing the sheds to occur just as often.....

Would this be the same theory for my corn as well?

Jlassiter · 09-08-12, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

Would this be the same theory for my corn as well?

Yes if you are feeding larger prey items less often......

rmfsnakes32 · 09-09-12, 12:31 AM

I know this it not a section for boas but I have one that does the very same thing every 3rd meal she goes into shed and her sheds are perfect too! As for thee growing in every species there is always the exception to the rule that the can go from staying smaller then average or top out 10ft when that breed of snake rarely goes past 7 maybe 8 feet! So long as he is healthy sit back relax a play with your new friend nothing to worry about IMO

Kingsnakechris · 09-09-12, 10:14 AM

Thanks for that! Makes sense. See Rob, our snakes are fine lol

Lankyrob · 09-09-12, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingsnakechris

Thanks for that! Makes sense. See Rob, our snakes are fine lol

Yup

wasnt particularly concerned as such but when you posted it seemed like such a similar situation that i had to ask

Kingsnakechris · 09-09-12, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

Yup

wasnt particularly concerned as such but when you posted it seemed like such a similar situation that i had to ask

Yeah, who knows, maybe we got the exception snakes and we'll both end up with 10' colubrids haha that would be something wouldn't it?!