Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello.
I have a pair of CB 01 Aspidelaps.When I got them I notice that they are shedding well but very often.
OK they are young and grow fast.
In 02 one of the animals lost shield scales,the other not.
Then they nearly shedd after every meal.Aprox. 10 times a jear.
In March 03 I got a adult male and he is shedding the 3th. time in this group.
Why ? What is it ?
I went to the Vet. in Germany and he has no real answer for this "problem"
They looked good,grow,but not fed.
But shedding ,shedding ,,,,,,,
Regards Hans

have you noticed any mites?

Hi.
No they dont have any mites ore ticks.
Also the cage is very dry,never wet.
Only spray sometimes.
Regards Hans

Most juvenile snakes will shed every 3 to 4 weeks until they are about 2 years old or so. That's normal. That is the fast-growing stage of their lives and they have to shed frequently because they are growing so fast. It's a good thing..don't worry about it.

If it were an adult snake, I'd say maybe it has a skin problem, injury, or something like that that it is trying "shed off". With a juvenile, it's normal.

Hello Hans -

Have you tried posting on the Venomous or the Elapid forum? You might find someone with information on this particular genus. But I agree in general with Oldherper. Young snakes tend to shed more frequently. Nevertheless, I have some snakes which are 20 years old and older which still shed every 6 to 8 weeks.

-Joan

Absolutely...every 6 to 8 weeks is definitely not out of line for an adult snake. Most of my adults seem to shed at right around 8 weeks. Snakes continue to grow their whole lives, although considerably more slowly after they reach adulthood. In the wild, they may shed a little more often because they will tend to wear out the outermost layer of skin faster, sustain minor skin injuries, etc. during the normal course of living in the wild. In captivity, they generally don't have the same level of wear and tear on their skin that wild snakes do, so they shed less often as adults in captivity.

Hello Oldherper.
No its defnetly not a normal thing.
I keep now for 20 jears venomous Snakes.
Maybee for 30 jears Herps.,but somting simmilar I never saw.
Its nothing normal.I know my animals and I know there is somting wrong.
Also with the adult male.
I introduced to the group and after that he looks to have the same problem.Fedding and shedding......
What is that ?
Only my Aspidelaps s. intermedius have that.
Regards Hans