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I have a full grown desert kingsnake (posted before)
I have owned him for about 6 weeks now and noticed recently what i think is a severe loss in weight.
He has been in shed phase for 3 weeks and over the last couple of days started to explore again. As, i hope, you can see by the pic when coiled or wrapped around something you can really see his ribs.

Is this normal weight loss during shed or do i need to do something about this? and if so any suggestions?

He was feeding great prior to shed but refused an offering last night, i assumed still due to shed.

Sorry about the lengthy post but this is worrying me and i would hate to lose him. thanks

what i see in that pic is not ribs,that's folds of skin he's trying to shed that's ready to come off.most likely the ambient air is too dry-let him soak for a good 15 minutes in an enclosure with 1/2" of water in it.then put him back in his cage,see how it goes from there.
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"with head raised regally,and gazing at me with lidless eyes,he seemed to question with flicks of his long forked tongue my right to trespass on his territory" Carl Kauffeld

now i feel really daft, i have in the last hour gave him a soak and he has begun to shed, as you rightly said these folds (not ribs lol) have gone, that one had me really worried and i am eternally gratefull to all on this forum who have helped me with this and other issues with my first kingsnake.
and apologies if some of my questions had seemed a bit dim to all you experienced herpers but each post helps me understand my snake so thanks again

Even so feed that snake a real good meal, he looks like he could use it. What is your feeding schedule and mouse size?
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Todd Hughes

having only had the snake a little over a month i have not really discovered his eating habits but his last two feeds before he started to shed were 1 rat pup and 1 medium mouse topped up with three pinkies following feed 4 days later consisted of two large mice then nothing since and he refused food last night and tonight. planning on leaving him(because i removed him to soak) for a couple of days then offering again.(fingers crossed)

Good point antelope. That snake should be feeding on several jumbo mice per week.
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"Yeah ya told me, and ya wrote it down too. But how the hell am I supposed to remember!"

That's a good sized splendy, he will recover from the burns quickly if fed, watered and left to heal in his hide. Mine are porkers, not fat, just friggin' pigs about it! They are so good at eating, I sometimes feel bad for stopping at 4 jumbo mice, but they eat once a week to ten days so I don't feel too bad!

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Todd Hughes

I agree with Justin. That snake looks pretty dehydrated. It could use a good soak in room temp. water. Good luck!
-Phil

if dehydration is the cause is an enclosure humidity of 50-60 ok?
he does have a humidity box during his shed (only his first with me) and i did observe him drinking 3-4 times daily

soak him in a sterlite/rubbermaid tub overnight.
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"Yeah ya told me, and ya wrote it down too. But how the hell am I supposed to remember!"

50-60% is more than enough. I am not up 100% on this subject as I do not have this problem with my King but when I had this problem with my BP's I would put a submersible fish tank heater in a container, a few bricks for the snake to climb on. and partially cover the top of the container. You still need air circulation so make sure its not covered to much. I have this pre set up and have the water up to 75-80F and the snake spends about 30 minutes in the container. Normally they do not need a 2nd treatment. Also how big is the water dish in the enclosure? I find my Corn Snakes enjoy a nice long soak in there dish before a shed and as of yet have had no problems with those snakes, Maybe a larger water bowl will fix any future problems for you
Foot Hill Reptiles