Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a Tex. ratsnake and a black milksnake, they are approx the same age.Dont have a hatch date but they are late 09 and still babies..The milksnakes sheds once a month like clockwork but the ratsnake has only shed twice.They get fed the same.A pink rat once a week.Should I be feeding the rat more? He doesnt act that hungry, he doesnt roam the cage or anything like that.

I have a corn that sheds about like the ratsnake, not nearly as often so maybe its just normal?
Thanks

You're probably fine.
I wouln't use frequency of sheds as anymore than very, very general indicator of growth, and, if you do, compare apples to apples, Texas Rats to Texas Rats.
Not only is there a difference amongst genera in shed frequency, but there are factors, such as rate of metabolism, age, temperature affecting metabolism, activity, etc., etc.
Use the animal's weight and length growth as your benchmark.
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You want your animal to grow and gain weight, but not become obese. Wen you pick it up it should feel like it has good muscle tone, skin is elastic, not with baddy folds, and is attentive to what is going on around it.
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Regards, Bill McGighan

thanks I thought about that after posting, that maybe the milksnake grew at a different rate.I guess my main concern is every kept telling that ratsnake were fast growers and so expected to see him shed alot more often.He is healthy and feels good and solid so I will assume Im doing things right.
BTW he gets 1 pink rat every week.