I have not experienced it to that degree. However, I have seen it for short periods.

My understanding is it is from some toxin in the body the Kidneys can't manage alone. It goes to the "Color Shedding Syndrome" discussion I have participated in here, previously.

Back to the toxic rats discussion. Systemic Toxicity in the blood ==> Exess Toxicity eliminated by Kidneys as Urates ==> Excess Toxicity of food in gut eliminated by Regurgitation or Vomiting ==> Excess Systemic Toxicity eliminated through sloughing skin.

Premature shedding of the epidermis, ie.) an abbreviated shedding cycle frequently removes the iridiopores and other dermal cells, thus the shedding of the color.

Continual and frequent shedding may be a chronic problem related to impaired/inefficient kidney function.

My experience has been with environmental situations as in mites, as stated in previous post. That can be remedied. Remove the source.

I have also noticed premature shedding in an accidental overdose of Baytril. The color was shed and the resulting epidermis became very dark with melanin. I figure the melanin was a natural skin protector produced by the body as in scar tissue over the damaged dermis/epidermis.

The snake survived, after it worked out the toxicity from the Baytril with a couple of quick sheds. It retained the darkened skin condition for as long as I had the snake. The original "color" never returned.

jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"

John Crickmer

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