Snake underfed?

[anna.jc]

hello my diamond is 5 months old and i couldn't help but notice when i hold it it has loose folds of skin.
Is it a sign that I have been underfeeding it?

 

[abnrmal91]

How long have you had it. It could be that its about to shed. Their skin can look baggy just before a shed.

 

[anna.jc]

I have had it since 1st or 2nd week of march this year and it has only shed once so i have been waiting for the next one though it hasnt been hiding for long periods at a time.

 

[abnrmal91]

They don't always hide when they are coming up to a shed. Does the skin look dull in appearance?
What weight is the snake and what size food is it eating plus how often is it eating?

 

[anna.jc]

mm not noticably dull it does somedays and then I actually think she is going to shed but she hasn't. I feed her once a week, just 2 weeks ago I moved from pinkie rats to 10 day old quails and I think weaner mice or hopper. I haven't weighed or nothing but i would say she is approx as heavy as a slim tv remote.

I also do leave the heat lamp on 24/7 during winter which may make her metabolism too fast?

 

[abnrmal91]

The biggest tip I can give to anyone especially with young snakes is weigh the snake regularly so you know how its growth is going. Also weigh the food items as well, as some time to achieve to required food weight ie; 10% to 20% of the weight of the snake. You may have to feed two food items to get the right size feed.

If you think it might be shedding just increase the humidity a little.

 

[anna.jc]

ok cool thanks for the tip I will start doing that! poor flabby snake haha

 

[Elapidae1]

It could also be a hydration problem

 

[anna.jc]

ok I will look into that thank you

 

[Bluetongue1]

To determine the body condition in a snake, have a look at the backbone. A snake in healthy body condition will have a small depression along its backbone and will have a gentle taper of its body towards its tail. An overweight snake will have a rounded body like that of a hose and the backbone will not be readily seen at all. It will also taper sharply towards the tail. The depression along its backbone will be absent due to fat deposition. Scales might also be spread apart alerting you to the animal’s distension. An underweight snake will have a sharply visible backbone jutting out and loose skin and the snake will often feel quite hollow. In cross-section it will look almost triangular.

To weight your snake and its food items, buy yourself a spring balance in the required weight range. You can weight the snake in a pillow slip or small cloth bag. Food items can be weighed in plastic bags. If you don’t want to weigh the bag separately, spring balances can be zeroed with the bag on by simply twisting the bottom section around. Easy as!

Blue

 

[Schnecke]

My partners Bredli went extremely baggy, saggy & creased for about a week before it shed. Clear eyes, didn't hide and ate like a horse. I suppose they're all different. We originally thought it may have been dehydrated until we did some research and it put our minds at ease.

It's no longer baggy after its shed.

 

[anna.jc]

hmmm.. i can see the depressions down her body but i think there is some back bone around the neck she did seem a little 'hollow' as you described Blue. I reckon I kept it on pinkies too long and not thinking to feed as soon as she pooped instead of waiting for 7 days to pass with such small food, oh the poor thing! I was too worried about overfeeding i forgot it may be possible to underfeed. Well I have 'upped the antee' with food now and will get into the habit of weighing. I am sure she is due for a shed aswell which will hopefully explain the creases. You have all been extremely helpful thank you!