Shedding Question

spottedgal1294 · 01-08-11, 06:57 PM

Do all snake's eyes blue before they shed? My spotted's eyes did not turn blue the first time she shed with me, and now she is about to shed again, she is extremely dull and hasn't eaten in a few weeks (she is usually a great eater but does come off of food before she sheds) So my question is, do some snakes eyes just not blue before shed, or is it different shed to shed? Thanks for the advice

Ch^4 · 01-08-11, 07:19 PM

I've kept 10 species of snakes and everyone of them goes into the blue; first there is the dulling, followed by going into the blue, then the eyes clear up, and finally they shed. The entire length of the shed cylce varies from species to species, as does the length of each stage in the cycle. I've never owned a spotted python, but I'm assuming they also go into the blue (I may be wrong in my assumption though). Like I said, I've never encountered a species that doesn't go into the blue.

NennaMeerkat · 01-08-11, 07:49 PM

(Hope you don't mind if I post another shedding question here. If you do my apologies ahead of time.)

Is there a certain amount of time you should expect a snake to shed say like every 3 months or does it strictly depend on their growth that makes them shed? I also heard that if a snake gets hurt it will shed more often while the wound heals. Is that true?

Ch^4 · 01-08-11, 08:14 PM

No apologies necessary!

It is true that a snake will shed following an injury, which might not fit within its "scheduled" shed period.

Younger snakes typically shed more often than adult snakes, but it depends on diet, species and genetics.

My JCP has been shedding about every 3 weeks, my BRB every 4-6 weeks, my Cali King every 4-6 weeks, my Corn every 4 weeks, my young BP every 3-4 weeks, and my adult BP every 6-10 weeks. Hope that helps and answers your question! You can "estimate" when your snake should shed next, but that is all it is, an estimation.

NennaMeerkat · 01-08-11, 08:56 PM

Thanks for the info as always! I know my corns I could never really predict their shedding and having this new snake I found myself curious. I think I will keep a loose log or something to see if she has a schedule (or close to one).

Damion930 · 01-08-11, 09:30 PM

Some snakes only show blue for a few days then it clears up it can be missed somtimes if the spend a period in ther hid coming up to shed. also some have a very light blueing wich can go unnoticed

Reptile_Reptile · 01-09-11, 02:35 AM

yea ive not noticed blue before in some sheds. but the blue is caused by a fluid your snakes undercoat of skin produces while the skin is in its ending part of development to losen and cut off the over layer and has to go over the eyes or else they wouldnt come off

Lankyrob · 01-09-11, 07:36 AM

I can never tell when my JCP goes "blue" he rarely uses his hide - i sit within a few feet of him for around twenty hours a day and i have NEVER seen a change in his eyes - all my other snakes the eyes go a very definite blue during the process.

shaunyboy · 01-09-11, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

I can never tell when my JCP goes "blue" he rarely uses his hide - i sit within a few feet of him for around twenty hours a day and i have NEVER seen a change in his eyes - all my other snakes the eyes go a very definite blue during the process.

i've found some of my carpets to be sneaky shedders rob

my black and white diamond jungle did it her last shed

first i knew of her going into and out of shed was when i woke up to a shed tangled through all her branches

i'm in the room with them most of the day as well and they still get one past me mate

cheers shaun