Shedding Question?

[87batesy]

Hey all

My jungle is about to shed (My first time)...... her eyes are milky and so is her underbelly!

The bloke i brought her off said he handled her all the time before she shed..... is this ok?

Should i still feed her while she is milky?

Should i spray her with water mist? if so how many times a day?

any other little hints you have will be awesome

 

[harley0402]

i don't feed my snakes while in shed but some people do, i was told that it could cause problems. I usually don't handle them either until they are finished unless they need cleaning. if the cage is dry then you can mist it just to get the humidity up a bit

 

[87batesy]

Humidity is at 20% i found dropping the enclosure temps helps to raise it but i think ill stick to spraying water

 

[harley0402]

that sounds very dry, keep the temps up and mist it, or try adding another water dish under the heat source.

the humidity level should be around the 60 % mark

 

[mysnakesau]

Misting him everyday while in shed-mode is a great way to help him shed well. Just make sure the water is warm when you put it in the spray bottle. Nicer to be sprayed with warmer water than cold water which could chill them.

 

[Banjo]

Individual snakes differ in the shedding times, normally you see the skin getting sad /dull looking leading up the eyes going milky, then after the eyes clear up they shed anything up to 2-5 days after, this varies from snake to snake.
With feeding during shedding is a personal choice, I don't, but as long you don't feed to large it should be ok if you choose to feed, and the snake will make it own choice anyway.
Misting won't hurt but don't go over board, maybe a better idea would be to move the water bowl to the warm end of the enclosure which will raise the humidity, I don't mist my snakes but then I don't have a jungle.

 

[87batesy]

Yeah i now wont be feeding her until shes shed, and i have moved the water bowl to the warm end! and i will mist every day oh yeah and i wont handle her until a couple of days after she sheds

 

[Bluetongue1]

Definitely on the right path there. Well done!

20% humidity sounds highly suspect to me. Have you got the viv in an airconditioned room and been running the aircon when that reading was taken? A quick check on Port Pirie weather puts the relative humidity in the 60s and 70s over the last week. See if you can borrow a hygrometer from someone and check it against what you used to obtain the 20% reading.

Decreasing the ventilation by partially covering vents will also assist in increasing humidity, if required.

You should have an object with a slightly rough surface that the snake can rub against to physically pull the skin free of the mouth to start the slough. I assume you have branches for it to climb so if they are not excessively smooth they will be fine to start and maintain the shedding process.

Blue

 

[SYNeR]

I usually put a large dog bowl filled with wet paper towel in the enclosure. Sometimes (for my glass enclosure at least), I'll stick wet paper towel to the insides of the enclosure.. Although probably a bit of a PITA to clean up..

 

[Pythoninfinite]

The only problem with any undue activity (handling, feeding etc) during the slough phase is that the old outer skin can be torn away too soon, and this can damage the developing new layer. Some snakes feed readily during pre-slough, other won't, so it's really just a matter of choice for you if you want to offer food. Just make sure there is nothing rough or potentially damaging to the skin if the snakes strikes and wraps the food item at this time.

Although careful handling is fine, it's probably just good practice to leave snakes alone during the couple of weeks it takes to go through the cycle.

Jamie

 

[abnrmal91]

Not only can handling potentially damage the skin (shouldn't if careful) but when they go through the shedding process they get stressed and feel vulnerable. Especially when there eyes are milky. It's just easier, safer and less stressful to the snake to leave them alone.

Good luck. Hopefully you can catch it when it sheds (normally overnight).

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Morfias]

Great thread, very informative

 

[87batesy]

I moved the water bowl as i said i would and now the temps have dropped at the hot end the temp is now 27.9 with humidty of 35% with the water on the cool side its normally 34 with 20% humidty. a spray with warm water takes the humidty up too the 50% for a few minutes and also at night when enclosure temps are lowered the humidty is normally about 40%

I noticed at the moment shes pretty fiesty....... today she looks alot less milky and her eyes are not are barely milky!

this is her enclosure as you can see she has branches in there to help with proccess

You may notice she doesnt have a hide in the pic thats because i threw her hollow log out when she had mites not long ago...... im getting a new one this weekend.

Oh yeah and she hates this light mist of warm water, i mean it really upsets her.

P.S thanks for the great info guys i defently think this should be a sticky