getting ready to shed

[RedSidedSPR]

My snake has the blue eyes and i'm assuming that means he's going to shed.
Is there anything i should change in how I keep him? Antyhing I should do?
Like increase humidity?

[infernalis]

Usually they shed just fine on their own.

If the cage is remarkably dry, then a little mist from a squirt bottle won't hurt.

[guidofatherof5]

After the eyes return to normal the shed could begin anytime or take up to a week(usually less)
Make sure they have access to water(full body soak)
Rocks, plants, hides and even the water dish itself can be used to start a shed.
Keep us posted.

[ConcinusMan]

Misting the cage and even the snake itself is a good idea, but not usually necessary, and definitely not necessary until the eyes go clear again.

You'll find that most healthy snakes can get through their shed with us doing nothing different.

It's good to give them their privacy and not disturb them during the opaque phase.

[RedSidedSPR]

two questions.

1: It's okay to feed him during the opaque phase right?

2: He hasn't left his half log at all for two and a half days. Is that normal when they're prepping for a shed?

[ConcinusMan]

Yes, and yes.

Some snakes refuse food during the opaque phase. Mine usually refuse food for only a couple of days - after the eyes go clear, but before the shed.

[guidofatherof5]

two questions.

1: It's okay to feed him during the opaque phase right?

2: He hasn't left his half log at all for two and a half days. Is that normal when they're prepping for a shed?

Nothing wrong with feeding during this time, if he'll eat.
I have some that eat during shed and others that refuse.

They tend to stay in their hides during this time since their vision is reduced.

Each snake can deal with it in different ways. You will get to know your snakes particulars in time.;)

[RedSidedSPR]

Ok, thanks. I have a feeling he'll eat.

What exactly is the blue in the eyes? What is its purpose?

[guidofatherof5]

Ok, thanks. I have a feeling he'll eat.

What exactly is the blue in the eyes? What is its purpose?

I found this. It does a very nice job of explaining.

Shedding (http://www.applegatereptiles.com/articles/bookshedding.htm)

[ConcinusMan]

Ok, thanks. I have a feeling he'll eat.

What exactly is the blue in the eyes? What is its purpose?

It's the new skin forming under the old. It's a fluid when in the opaque stage. Once it is ready, the eyes go clear. When the snake sheds the old layer of skin (keratin) the new layer expands for a better fit. If the snakes didn't do this, they would strangled by their own skin as they outgrow it.

This is why a failure to shed can be deadly. The keratin layer that snakes shed off, can only stretch so far before it needs to come off and be replaced by a new layer that fits better. This is why young growing snakes need to shed more often than adults.

[RedSidedSPR]

Gotcha.

[RedSidedSPR]

His eyes have cleared up now, so I'm guessing he should shed within a few weeks?

[ConcinusMan]

Days. If he's in the clear, that's a good time to keep the humidity high until he sheds. He should shed within 7 days at most.

[RedSidedSPR]

He ate a few fish yesterday. He came out of his hide for the first time in a week.
So should I spray his cage once a day? or more?

[guidofatherof5]

Have his eyes gone back to clear?

Sorry I missed that other post. Providing a large water dish may be enough.

[RedSidedSPR]

ok... Do I spray or not? ConcinnusMan Say yay Steve say nay...

[guidofatherof5]

I don't mist any of my snakes.
I think it's a personal preference.;)
I don't mist because of my substrate.

[ConcinusMan]

As I stated earlier, most snakes will shed just fine even if you do nothing different.

If you have a humidity gauge and the relative humidity in the tank is well below 50% then it's probably a good idea to mist a couple times a day just in case.

[RedSidedSPR]

I'm going to get a humidity gauge this week. Are petstores the only option for those? Would walmart or something have any?

[Stefan-A]

Walmart should have hygrometers, but I'm just guessing here. Any place that sells thermometers probably has them.

[guidofatherof5]

Walmart sells a muti-function. Gives you temp. and humidity.
It's digital and runs about $9

[RedSidedSPR]

Nice. Thanks, man. I'll head over there soon

[RedSidedSPR]

Walmart didn't have that thermometer, but whatever. He shed yesterday! It came off perfectly, eye caps etc. He is so much more brightly colored now it's painful to the eyes.
Does it usually come off within 5 or 10 minutes? That's all the time it took. I thought it would take longer.

[ConcinusMan]

Yes, a healthy shed only takes a minute or few.

[RedSidedSPR]

Cool, I didnt relize that. I guess that proves that petsmart/petco snakes are really badly kept 'cause they take forever. and it dosnt come off in one peice. I hate those stores and their employees.