Do they eat their shed skin?

[stonyloam]

This may seem like a kind of elementary question, but do garters eat their old skin after a shed? My largest snake apparently shed last night (went from milky eyes and dull to crystal clear eyes and shiny) but here is no sign of the old skin (all 5 of my snakes have shed but only found 3 skins). Is that normal ? Just wondering. Thanks.

[Stefan-A]

The eyes always clear up for a couple of days before it actually sheds.

But to answer your question, it has happened, but it's extremely rare and it's atypical behavior. I believe the theory is that it is triggered by scent from food items it might have come in contact with.

[stonyloam]

Thanks Stefan. I guess two have not shed, even though the eyes have cleared. Learning every day.:)

[Stefan-A]

It's the same for all of us, I guess. There's so much to know. :)

[adamanteus]

A lot of lizards, notably geckos eat their shed skins, as do frogs. I've never heard of it in snakes.

[stonyloam]

Came in this afternoon and found another empty skin (perfect shed). Guess Stefan was right again, Why am I not surprised? :) Thanks, I learned a little today.

[Stefan-A]

No problem, but you were right, it was pretty elementary. :) It's something everybody learns after a month or two (at the most) of keeping snakes, so I figure anybody here could have answered your question. ;)

[Stefan-A]

A lot of lizards, notably geckos eat their shed skins, as do frogs. I've never heard of it in snakes.
There's a picture of keratophagy in progress in Strumpfbandnattern.

[stonyloam]

My big gravid female shed last night, so they are done, 5 perfect sheds. They sure are pretty now! Thanks!!!!

[Boots]

Here is an article off the original Thamnphis.com server. Article (http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/../../archive/articles/artic11.htm)

A Special thanks to Jürgen Chlebowy for allowing us to host the old articles.

Jason

[adamanteus]

Thanks for the link Jason. Reading through it, it does seem to indicate that the skin wasn't actually swallowed volutarily.

[Boots]

Unlike geckos which will eat their sheds, I think garters do not, except by accident. I would be interested to see the nutritional value of a shed though

Jason