rough skin?...

[Maleko]

I picked up my puget sound garter snake this evening and noticed that her underbelly had an abrasive texture to it. There are patches of discolored dry skin. There have been no changes in her environment, and she lives on coconut shavings. She's about 9 months old and to my knowledge has not shed yet. I purchased her at 4 months and the breeder had said she had not shed. I know people say that she'll shed when she needs to but this can't be normal can it?...

[guidofatherof5]

No shed yet doesn't sound right especially in a young snake.
I would recommend a shed box to see if there is a retained shed.

[chris-uk]

Four months and no shed sounds odd to me, let alone getting to 9 months. Is she growing and putting weight on?
A shed box could be a good idea, but if the shed is welded on like it was for one of our checkered babies it may take a lot of time to get a retained shed off.

[Light of Dae]

My girl only shed at 4 months old... But since then she's been growing n shedding like a good Radix.
9 months... how big is she? how much does she eat? I'd say the rough skin sounds like retained shed... Shed box couldn't hurt either way... leave her in there for quite a while I'd say... the try picking off some 'roughness' I can't think of anything else it could be...

[Maleko]

I did a shed box for about 20 minutes yesterday, no shed, but the roughness went away, and she's been really active.
She's eating to satiation about once a week, worms and pinky parts supplemented with calcium powder.
She's about 15 inches long but her body tapers quickly behind her head.

[BUSHSNAKE]

I did a shed box for about 20 minutes yesterday, no shed, but the roughness went away, and she's been really active.
She's eating to satiation about once a week, worms and pinky parts supplemented with calcium powder.
She's about 15 inches long but her body tapers quickly behind her head.

sounds like mine, im having a hell of a time with my puget baby too

[guidofatherof5]

I would continue with the shed box for a few days.
It's an inconvenience but could be a real benefit if this is a retained shed.
Nothing wrong with leaving them in a shed box for an extended period of time. I've left snakes in overnight and longer.

[Maleko]

I'll put her in the shed box again tonight and I guess I'll leave her in there overnight. I don't have school tomorrow so I guess I'll continue the process over the course of tomorrow.

[Light of Dae]

You could also with a warm wet face cloth, or towel, Something with a rough-ish texture rub where she was rough right after the shed box n see if you can spot any peeling skin. And / Or if you got finger nails pick at a spot (in the direction of the scales, not backwards though) Also if you can get a rough piece of slate or something put in her tank or in shed box, so that she naturally 'exfoliates' her skin


Let us know how this works out for you

[Maleko]

Left her in the shed box overnight and her entire belly is nice and smooth again. She didn't shed, and it honestly looks like she doesn't need to shed. She doesn't have any rough patches that look like she's shedding. I have some rougher rocks in her tank for her to rub herself against if she needs to. Should I just keep doing the shed box?