shedding or something else?

[littlemay]

Hi all,

Not too sure who's awake at this hour but being a new owner i'm just a little concerned about something. Woke up around 5.30 to hear my new hatchy rubbing himself hard up against the side of the click-clack over and over, not sure if this is normal behaviour before a shed or something different (he's hitting the wall hard enough to make a sound, worried he's gonna hurt himself). I'm also noticing he's gone for a bit of a swim, the plastic is all steamed up near his waterbowl.

If this normal, is there anything i can put to make it easier for him to shed? Really worried he might do some damage.

I've had him since Tuesday, he hasn't been handled yet, temps are stable at 22 cool end 31 hot end.

Sorry if this is something silly to be worried about, just don't want harm my snake through ignorance.

 

[Bluetonguesblack]

Hi littlemay, if he is about to shed maybe he needs a slightly rough surface like a rock or similar to "hookup" his skin onto to start the process. Swimming or bathing often softens the skin to help. Has he been doing this since tuesday ?

 

[littlemay]

No, this only started this morning. He doesn't have milky looking eyes at all either. Might put a rock in to help if he is indeed in shed.

 

[J-A-X]

chances are that his eyes were cloudy last week before you got him (they go cloudy and then clear before they shed) it all sounds normal for a slough.

 

[Bel03]

As Jaxrtfm said, u may have missed the cloudy eyes, its easily done as it doesnt last long. Did the breeder mention if he is due to shed? As for putting something in to help ur little guy shed though, with my bredli, i found that while she has a 'rock like water bowl' & a number of 'rock like hides' she used the branches to assist with her shed.......so while something rough like a rock is good, some snakes will prefer a branch.

 

[littlemay]

Bel, no they didn't but i might just call and ask. He has a 'rock like' water bowl as well, i was expecting him to use it to help him shed, might put something else in to help him out. Thanks for all the responses guys, feeling much more at ease