Reptile & Amphibian Forums

my wc eastern is about to shed. i know they usually need to be wet before they shed, but mine never goes in its water dish. should i like force the snake to get wet or squirt water at it so its skin is moist?

also, has anyone else noticed that snakes of the same species in the same population all shed at the same time?

thank ya

Your snake doesn't need to be wet to shed. It depends on the species, and specific humidity. My hondurans shed without bathing for months sometimes, while others bathe constantly (for no reason careful observation and experiment can explain to me). Make sure it's not bone dry and you'll be fine.
-Sean

I agree with the other person who posted - a snake does not need to soak in order to shed its skin successfully.

To answer your second question about snakes in a population shedding at the same time - while herping, I've noticed that when it's been raining for several days, a large number of snakes will be "in the blue." This is not only true with snakes of the same species, but all snakes in the area.

For instance, a few years back I was herping in Kentucky where it had been raining for a few days - I found garters, DeKay's, milks, copperheads, black rats and water snakes - about 75% of those snakes were in shed.

Tim

Third Eye