How quickly and often do your snakes shed?

[SilentWrath*]

I have what I believe to be T. radix, and they are approximately 22 days old, and one has completed the shed 2 days ago,
in one piece, and the other is in blue phase right now.

I was just curious too see if this is about average?
I am guessing they shed more frequently when they are smaller since they are growing at a more rapid rate.

[guidofatherof5]

You are right about the frequency of shedding.
It all depends on the amount of food and how often they get fed. I'm not sure there is away to tell you an average.
Post up a photo and we'll try to identify your garter snake.:)

[SilentWrath*]

Here's a picture of Silent Bob:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e34/SilentWrath/DSC02129.jpg

Here's a photo of Jay's shed:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e34/SilentWrath/shed1.jpg

[kibakiba]

It does look kind of like a radix, but Steve is the radix expert he'd know more than I do about them ;) Bob is a very cute snake!

[Stefan-A]

Yeah, the frequency depends on the growth rate, which can vary from snake to snake and situation to situation. I've had snakes shed once every four weeks like clockwork for the first year, then slow down to once every three months and in one case, twice a year.

[guidofatherof5]

Silent Bob looks radixy(new word). A more detailed photo would be very helpful.:)
What State are you in? Then we'll know what snakes range in you area.

[SilentWrath*]

Silent Bob looks radixy(new word). A more detailed photo would be very helpful.:)
What State are you in? Then we'll know what snakes range in you area.

I'm in South Carolina, though Jay and Silent Bob were babies from a local pet store, and not wild caught.

Their mother had a little red in her, but neither of my snakes have any red in them.
My snakes do have two yellow dots on their head if that helps in identification.

Today Silent Bob is out of blue phase but still hasn't completed the shed so I expect that any day now.

Here's a few more photos:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e34/SilentWrath/DSC02188.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e34/SilentWrath/DSC02189.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e34/SilentWrath/DSC02193.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e34/SilentWrath/DSC02200.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e34/SilentWrath/DSC02198.jpg

Hope this helps with the ID!

[Stefan-A]

I almost want to say: Hybrid.

If I had to guess, I'd say T. radix x T. sirtalis parietalis.

Did I mention that I'd have to guess?

[guidofatherof5]

I see a lot of T.s.parentalis. Stefan could be right. Might be a hybrid.

[SilentWrath*]

I'm guessing it will be easier to be sure once they get bigger.

Whatever they are, they are most definitely some awesome snakes.
I've never had any snakes before but am already a garter fan!

Jay is very outgoing and animated, definitely the dominant one.
Silent Bob on the other hand, likes to hide, only poking his head out and coming out to eat.

They were named after I noticed these personality traits, as I thought it was fitting.

They have only been eating minnows up till now, but I'm about to try switching them to fish scented nightcrawlers.
Do I need to dust with calcium every so often since they wont be consuming any bones?
I keep green tree frogs as well and this is common practice with captive amphibians.

[Selkielass]

If they like minnows, you might want to try them on frozen silversides. 'Sally's Silversides' have been reported to be a thiaminase free variety of fish. (I think Petco carries this brand.)

[ConcinusMan]

My young radixes and red spots from a few months old to a year and a half, shed about every 4 or 5 weeks. They are growing rapidly.

My large adult red spots shed about 2-3 times a year since they are growing very slowly and are just about as big as they're going to get.

[SilentWrath*]

I'd just like to update this thread.

My snakes have now both completed their second shed, each one exactly two weeks after their first shed.

Jay's second shed came on 9/2, when he was 34 days old. He is now approximately 13+ inches long and
almost a dime in width when full in his fattest section.

Silent Bob's second shed came on 9/7, at 39 days old. He is slightly smaller overall, at about 12-12.5", skinnier, and a noticeably smaller head.

Tonight was their first night dining on nightcrawlers, and they took to them like a champ.

First Jay came out of the hide sniffing after watching me mess with the food bowl. He got closer to take a look steadily sniffing,
going up to them sniffing them, climbing up on the rock/wood perches over the food bowl watching the nightcrawler pieces wiggle.
Then a minute later he went down and snatched a piece up.

A few minutes later Silent Bob decided to come out and see what was up, so he slowly approached the food bowl, sniffing as he slithered.
I was honestly surprised at how quickly he went for the kill, cause about 30 seconds after he got to the bowl was striking for worm pieces.

After 30 minutes the 6 pieces of juicy nightcrawler were gone, no scenting necessary.

[guidofatherof5]

Great news. As a rule, night crawlers are high on the list of wanted foods for garter snakes.
You should never have to scent a night crawler as they are what many people use for scenting other foods.
Keep us posted on your snake's progress.
Looks like your keeping a close eye on them and keeping good records. That's great.