Results 1 to 4 of 4

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Hi, I'm New Here!
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    23
    Country: United States

    Swimming? And Shedding?

    I am the queen of questions!

    I've observed over the last two wees that Miss Snakey Snake is very enthusiastic about water. I actually change the water in the dish twice a day because within ~15 minutes of me putting in new water, she's in the dish hanging out. The bowl is big enough that she can fit her whole body in with room left over and she often does.

    Given that she seems to be getting a bit more used to me handling her (when I removed her to feed her, she actually wound herself around my hand and seemed to want to stay there), would it be something that she might enjoy if I put some water in the tub and some objects for her to climb on and put her in there to swim around? Or would it just unnecessarily traumatize her?

    BTW, I posted (bad!) pictures on the other thread. I'm going to see if she'll cooperate with me taking more pictures so I can get some better ones that are in focus.

    As far as the shedding question ... She seems to have visibly grown since I got her. I haven't noticed any signs of cloudiness in her eyes, but her scales seem to be a bit duller than they used to be, though she's still acting normal (she's actually a lot more active and inquisitive than she was when I first got her). I wondered if that might have something to do with why she's hanging out in the water so much, as well. Help? I don't know if this is normal or how often a young garter sheds. I imagine it must be fairly often, since they grow so much ...

  2. #2
    "Second shed, A Success" salzar's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    northeast
    Posts
    259
    Country: United States

    Re: Swimming? And Shedding?

    water does help in sheding and most will hang out in the water bowl to aid it!!
    I have tooken my snake and put him in a shallow tub of warm water,and he loved it . got some excersize too!!!
    bye
    michelle

  3. #3
    Truieneer, e ras apoat Snaky's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Posts
    2,241
    Country: Belgium

    Re: Swimming? And Shedding?

    Michelle is correct, some snakes lay in the water to aid their shedding process. But this is something individual, I have some snakes who do it and other don't although they are from the same species. But not a lot of my garters have the tendency to go into the water bowl. I've seen changes though in this behaviour when I put a large bowl in there and some plants on the edges to make it look more natural and easier to escape.

    I've never take the snakes out for a swim and will probably never do so... In my eyes it's not necessary and can be stressfull: you take her to a completely different environment. If you decide to do it, make sure she has resting places. But maybe others can comment more on that.
    Greetz, Hans

    Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
    -The Shawshank Redemption-
    www.kousebandslangen.nl

  4. #4
    Moderator adamanteus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Cheshire. (Near Manchester).
    Posts
    10,633
    Country: United Kingdom

    Re: Swimming? And Shedding?

    Quote Originally Posted by Snaky View Post
    I've never take the snakes out for a swim and will probably never do so... In my eyes it's not necessary and can be stressfull: you take her to a completely different environment. If you decide to do it, make sure she has resting places. But maybe others can comment more on that.
    I agree with Hans. I don't see what is to be gained by this.
    James.

Similar Threads

  1. shedding trouble
    By drache in forum Husbandry
    Replies: 27
    Last Post: 05-12-2007, 04:14 AM
  2. size of water=swimming?
    By hjelte in forum Husbandry
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 05-07-2007, 05:44 AM
  3. Shedding question: Foggy eyes?
    By Gyre in forum General Talk
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 03-05-2007, 03:16 PM
  4. Again? (Shedding)
    By abcat1993 in forum General Talk
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 01-21-2007, 09:22 PM
  5. shedding
    By maverick in forum General Talk
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 08-09-2006, 10:57 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •