Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My Sonoran male was shedding, worked his way out of the shed and back into it. When I found him this morning he was like a big doughnut. I thought he was dead, put him back in the cage and went to get a camera. I got him back out and was about to take his picture when his head popped out the side. Needless to say I helped him the rest of the way out. He seemed a litle groggy but in a few minutes was hissing and rattling his tail. I checked him several times during the day without disturbing him and he seems to be OK. I think not too much longer and he would have been a goner. He has a large enclosure.

Anyone else have a similar experience?

Mike B

Bro... snakes do not die from the sheeding process and I thing most of us are very confused at just what your tring to ask, some snakes seem to like help, like eastern coachwhips seem to go into a trance when I help them even opening their mouth as i peel their shed from their labials and chin, but pines are even more personal and secritive, depending on the individual snake.

I have seen snakes that while shedding, the skin instead of peeling off in a nice even manner, rolled up on the snake. The farther down the body, the fatter and tighter the role became on the snake until it comes to the point that it constricts on that point. If left unattended I could definately see some problems coming of it. Just my two cents. Take care!

Jeremy
SHADE TREE EXOTICS

What Jeremy has said has happened to me before, with an albino nelson milk. The skin got so tight and constricting that I was having to cut if off quickly. Took a while to get it off the snake without hurting him.

I know of a breeder that had a snake crawl actually back into his shed skin and die. Weird accident.

So in all, I have heard of this.

Take care!
Billy
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Genesis 1:1

I'm trying to post a picture and can't seem to resize it. Will keep trying. The shed was still loose and had not hardened.

Mike B

one of my bulls crawled right back into his own shed too. i just laughed at him and pointed but i think it really threw him off! i had to take him out and get the skin off myself. maybe your snake needs a bigger cage or something.

48 x 30 floor space. If it needs a bigger cage I may need to sell some animals. Half the animals and twice the room. My wife would be happy with that arrangement. My tegu tank is 9.5 feet x 3 x 3. Don't think the tegu would tolerate a roomate. LOL.

Mike B