Not to urgent but just a wondering question for the new snake keeper!

[J@50n]

So I noticed today while I was handling my Eastern Garter that he was shedding little scales. Not big pieces just small scales. Here is one on the ground (The white piece on the red) and another is hanging off of his neck. What is this? Is something wrong?

http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/5311/dscf6385r.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/828/dscf6385r.jpg/)

[kibakiba]

Mama did that once while she was gravid. I didn't think much of it, because after a shed, she was fine. I don't know what it is though.

[drache]

he may have a hard time getting a shed started
perhaps you could give him a damp hide

[RedSidedSPR]

What she said. Something like a wet wash cloth under a hide helps. IF that's what it is.

[drache]

there are two kinds of damp hides - long term or short term
both involve an enclosed container with a suitable hole the snake can use for entry and exit
the temporary one can contain a damp rough cloth or sponge - anything clean that holds moisture
for a long term one (nice idea for some snakes) you want to use a somewhat mold resistant medium such as sphagnum moss

[d_virginiana]

Mine both do that sometimes when they're getting near to shedding. Little 'dry skin' looking flakes will come off. They've never had any trouble shedding though; I just thought it was something that happened sometimes. Has yours been soaking?

Just keep an eye on him and mist him when he gets close to shedding and make sure everything comes off right. I wouldn't worry about it right now though.

[ConcinusMan]

That's not actual scales. It's just bits of the outermost layer of skin. The same layer that they shed off periodically. The scales are either left over from a previous shed and are now coming off, or like was already mentioned, the snake is having trouble getting a shed started.

[J@50n]

I don't think he's starting a shed. I think it is just left over as you put it ConcinnusMan.

Thanks :)