Confused about shedding!

[gravity]

Okay, I noticed my boa was acting a little weird and it's about time for him to shed. I assumed he was going into a shedding cycle which was confirmed when I noticed his eyecaps get milky.

My father and girlfriend both observed the milky eyes so I know I wasn't hallucinating. So I notice the eyes go back to normal and check in the tank for the skin.

There was no skin to be found. He did not shed as far as I can tell but his eyes are no longer milky white. Does anyone have any feedback at all. Is there any other condition which causes a boa's eyes to become milky.

When I was handling him to check for the skin he seemed normal and attentive. He was flicking his tongue and very alert and not aggressive.

Anyone who can shed (no pun intended) some light on this issue please post.

Thanks,
Adam

[SaKSTa]

Re: Confused about shedding!

When a snake is going to shed, its eyes will get cloudy and his skin dull, than a couple days before he sheds his eyes will go back to normal and his skin will look fine again, after that he is due to shed anyday. Dont be worried, that is totally normal, give it a few days and he will shed.

[SLAponte]

Re: Confused about shedding!

Perfect moment to make sure your humidity is right... A littl extra spray or a few minutes soak might help him shed properly...

[gravity]

Re: Confused about shedding!

Thanks for the info and advice.

I kept an eye on him and decided to take your advice SLAponte and soak him. As I was soaking him I noticed he was very alert and seemed to be hungry.

I fed him two pinkies and he took both of them fine. I was extremely surprised to find that he had shed the following morning or early afternoon.

I know it is not suggested to feed during a shed cycle but he seemed so calm and not at all stressed so I figured it would be fine. He seems to be okay but I hope I didn't compound the stress of feeding and shedding.

Anyway, thanks again.

Adam

[LORI]

Re: Confused about shedding!

I fed him two pinkies and he took both of them fine.

OK.. For starters, your feeding the snake incorrectly here. Even though you haven't stated how big the snake is actually, it can be noted. Even newborn boas eat larger than a pinkie for first meal. You should really be feeding this snake according to the girth ruling btw also. Rats are a better choice for prey as they are more nutritional than the mice.
Here's some reading for you btw...
This page is in regards to feeding live vs dead prey to snakes....

http://www.koalaskritters.net/livefeeding.html

[SLAponte]

Re: Confused about shedding!

Hi Gravity. I am glad to read he/she shed ok. Some people say the soaking doesn't matter, but it worked for me with a trouble sheder I had, so go with what works.

I made the mistake to feed during cycle. Didn't notice, or right before blue. Anyway, many Boas won't feed because they can't see well, but if they do it should not be a major thing.

Follow Lori's advice on the feeding. I always keep my Boas in 1 food item, the right size, every 7 to 10 days. Stick to your schedule as much as you can. Again, we don't know the size of your Boa, so is hard to tell, but none of mine ever stayed too long (or at all) on pinkie mice.

What I have learned : sheding and pooping are exercises in HUMAN patience. The snake will get around to it on his/her own time...

[gravity]

Re: Confused about shedding!

I am feeding pinkie Rats btw and I saw once that Clay told someone not to waste their rats or their money and that it was okay to feed two at a time. I'm feeding frozen/thawed rats exclusively. I am going to step up the sizes but I want to get rid of some of these pinkie rats I have left.

Thanks,
Adam

[LORI]

Re: Confused about shedding!

OH..K When people say pinkies,, all I think of is mouse newborns lol. Is fine to be feeding the rat pnkies btw..I just call them rat pups here is all hehe.
On the feeding more than 1 of them at a feeding. WHY?? are you doing this even ? Usually this is only done with a valid reasoning when feeding a snake. Which there are many such reasons also btw. BUT keep in mind that when you feed multiple prey items to a snake a few things do take place...
1. The snake has more then 1 prey to digest in it's gut.
2. The snake if being fed properly sized prey could be overfed by doing this.
3. The snake could become constipated from this.
4. The snake could go into a regurge thing..UGH.

As for the 1st thing on that list...If the snake has a problem with digestion, this could lead to MANY other types of problems for the snake as well. When snakes digest their food, they digest the first prey item that went down it's gut. While this is going on, the second prey item is basically just sitting there decomposing is all until the first prey item is done digesting. This in itself can lead to a problem for the snake. ie having a rotting prey item in it's gut.. UGH. That's why is best to only feed one appropriately sized prey item at a feeding. Of course there are MANY reasones why we would actually feed two prey items to a snake...BUT sounds as though your snake doesn't fit in any of that criteria at all. So why do such a thing then ?