Are they preparing to shed?

[Mommy2many]

Good morning, All!

I have noticed that my first snake, Stewie has a cloudy appearance to her eyes. Is this the sign that she will be shedding? She has shed twice in the last 2 months but I never knew until after the shed was done and found the skin. I noticed yesterday that her eyes looked like they have a film over them and attributed that to the fact that she may be getting ready to shed again. I am a little concerned though, in part because Midnight looks like she may be doing the same thing. Though her eyes are not as cloudy looking yet and I don't really like coincidences:confused:

One, if not both ate on Friday (pinkies).

[guidofatherof5]

Sounds like you've got a couple shedders there. Once the blue eye phase passes, their eyes will look normal. Shortly(1,2,3, days) after that they will shed. I don't think you have anything to worry about. In fact, you will have a couple of new looking snakes both at the same time. They won't always shed at the same time. It was just a coincidence.

Then again, it may be a conspiracy. They know you well enough and knew it would drive you crazy:D I'm guessing it's the latter.:D

[Mommy2many]

Steve, I think you nailed it! They really do understand me and know what buttons to push to drive me nuts. After the whole swamp insult & ketchup incident, they decided to form a collaberation of evil thoughts and decide to shed together, just to make me sick with worry:confused: I hope they haven't dragged my Dekayi into this wicked plot, as I haven't seen him since Friday night. They have probably told him to stay low and that would just add to my misery.:D

[k2l3d4]

My two little guys over here are on a pattern.... First Little Dude will shed and then abotu two weeks later Hudinie will shed.

[Mommy2many]

Good to know they like to gang up!

[Lovok]

Sounds like you've got a couple shedders there. Once the blue eye phase passes, their eyes will look normal. Shortly(1,2,3, days) after that they will shed. I don't think you have anything to worry about. In fact, you will have a couple of new looking snakes both at the same time. They won't always shed at the same time. It was just a coincidence.

Then again, it may be a conspiracy. They know you well enough and knew it would drive you crazy:D I'm guessing it's the latter.:D

I thought I was having a mind game being played on me for a second there. Scylla's eyes clouded up about three days ago, and first I thought "WOW- that was fast! She just shed at the beginning of July!" I suppose it's a good sign, in that they don't grow that fast and shed that frequently if they'll under-fed or unhealthy in some way. But last night and today, her eyes look normal again. So just to clarify, I can expect her to shed again any time now, since her eyes clouded, and then cleared?

I tried giving her salmon, and she LOVED it! I fed her pretty well I think, and all she's done since it pretty much stayed in one of her hiding spots, probably just "digesting". She's back to her normal girth, so here's question 2:
Should I bother to offer her food this close to her next shedding, or wait until she's done? It's been almost a week (well, about 5 days) since she pigged out, but I don't want to cause her any problems if feeding her this close to the shed would do that. Maybe offer, but not as much?

Thanks for the info!

[guidofatherof5]

Offer the food if you want. All she can do is turn it down. I have some that eat right through a shed. They never miss a meal. I think it's up to them how they handle the shed. Some eat, some don't.

[gregmonsta]

I had three shedders all feeling 'blue' at once before :)

[Mommy2many]

They all like to mess with me. Jesse snake just shed the other day & so did Connor snake. We didn't even see that one coming...

Now I know what they're up to...:D

[guidofatherof5]

Now I know what they're up to...:D

Oh, Yeah. They are a few steps ahead of you and you don't even know it.:D

[Lovok]

Well, Scylla's eyes are turning blue yet again. This is almost like clockwork! She shed right after i brought her back from PA (around July 6th), then again the beginning of August (around the 4th), and now she's getting ready again!

I'd like to thank everyone here in the forum, and the administrator for all of the information, conversation, and general feeling of inclusiveness I've gotten here in such a short time here. I doubt Scylla would be growing so fast and shedding on such a regular basis if she was malnourished, constantly stressed, or had any other major health issues. I'll see if I can get a pic or two of her right after she's done. Aren't they absolutely beautiful right after a shed?? :-)

[Mommy2many]

Nice & shiny snakes:D

[Lovok]

OK, after looking over some prior threads, I didn't see this question, so here goes:

When do garters shed? Meaning, do they typically do it at night? Early morning? Is it a set behavior pattern of some sort? It's a given that they're nervous because of being so vulnerable & not being able to see, so in that state, do they have "stage fright" and manage to accomplish it somehow without being observed?

[Stefan-A]

I haven't noticed any preferences regarding the time, my snakes have shed at all hours.

Their eyes clear up well before they start shedding and that should restore their vision for the most part, so I don't think being blind would influence it in any way. But a couple of times I have triggered it by disturbing the snake in one way or another, on a day when I've expected it to shed anyway.

[Mommy2many]

I just watched our Eastern, Midnight complete her shed from start to finish. I was feeding her & Stewie (She's been hiding for a few days and hasn't eaten, so I thought she might be interested in some pinkies (her favorite)) She came to the food dish and ate a piece of salmon, cause that was all that Stewie left for her!

We dropped 2 more pinks in there and she started to shed. She finished her shed in about 5-7 minutes, I have some pics to post of her in the middle of it. :D Still waiting for her to eat the pinks!