Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok,

I have been keeping black pine snakes for several years and every time one of them sheds they change in physical appearance. They seem to get larger and look more heavily bodied and you can see the interstitial skin as if they have eaten a meal but the scales are separated the length of the body. I have Northern Pines as well but this phenomenon does not seem to occur. Once they shed they go back to normal.

Any one else notice this with their black pines ?
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Thanks,

Frank Roberts

Is it possible that their diet has exceeded their metabolic requirements? Skin can stretch but scales don't.

>>Is it possible that their diet has exceeded their metabolic requirements? Skin can stretch but scales don't.

well it only happens during the shed cycle and after they shed their scales are touching again. so that probably is not it.

I dont think their scales are streching the snake looks larger then it usually is and the scales are definately spread out showing the interstitial skin.
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Thanks,

Frank Roberts

Oops, sorry Frank, I misinterpreted your account...

"every time one of them sheds they change in physical appearance."

I thought that meant after they shed, not pre-shed. In either case, I'm sure I would have known if you were overfeeding.

Let me offer another possibility...perhaps they are retaining as much water as possible to facilitate the shed. In my limited experience I have noticed that my snakes generally retain feces for sometime prior to shed and then dump immediately post shed. I have guessed that fluid retention in order to assure proper hydration during the shed cycle is the advantage here but of course I have nothing to back that up.

...meant to say:
"I'm sure YOU would have known if you were over-feeding".

I noticed the same thing with the poop retention and always wondered why they did that as well.
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Thanks,

Frank Roberts

I've thought they might do that to help keep their body as "puffed up" and sort of full or expanded as possible to stretch the skin and make the shed easier. Then just before or as they shed they release and help separate the outer layer. Same sort of concept as if you watch them just prior they move their jaws around to help loosen the skin on their head.

I hadn't thought about moisture retention, another interesting thought though.

Hmmm, that's another interesting thought which leads to yet another...

Suppose the "puffing" forces the new skin to form to a larger body anticipating growth. One thing about that though is that once de-puffed seems the new skin would be baggy so that doesn't hold up too good???

I am sure the elasticity of the new interstitial skin compared to the loss of elasticity of the old interstitial skin comes into play here as well.
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--Brian Scott

Thanks, it does not happen with any of my other pits but the 3 black pines, it's very noticeable as well. (to me anyway)
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Thanks,

Frank Roberts

Yeah I would think it's just a matter of not being substantial enough that there's any air pocket and enough elasticity to keep the skin tight, just not *as* tight if I'm making any sense? It's only a guess though.

n/p

Haha sorry had my baby in hand while trying to type. I just meant that I didn't think it was stretching enough to make the skin look baggy but just loosening it enough to be easier for it to slough off.

Note I have adult Black Pines and this occurs with all 3.
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Thanks,

Frank Roberts

I hadn't really noticed it but here's a shot of my adult male a few months ago post "blue" and very shortly before before he shed.

Have you noticed their skin being thicker feeling than your other pits even? The first thing I noticed with these guys is how thick the shed skin feels compared to anything else I keep, even the other pits. I wonder if this might also factor in to this behaviour somehow?

Man, he looks awesome for pre-shed, but definitely bloated. Interesting about the thick shed skin.

Just got my first BP the other day, an '09 Mobile County, Lemke stock. She hasn't shed here yet of course but one thing I notice is that HER tail seems very long and narrow...is this normal for BPs?...pretty messed pattern too, instead for the normal tiger like bars.