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A Dingy Snake

pyromaniac Apr 25, 2011 08:32 PM

My 08 male went blue a couple weeks ago and then shed the last third of his shed yesterday, but the other two thirds was still on him. So I soaked him in a warm water bath, then helped him shed the rest of the shed. He came out looking still dingy, not his usual bright self.

Him after shedding; dingy.

Him earlier this spring mating with Dotz.
He is the one on top of the other snake. He looks much brighter in this photo.

Him more recently with Zunchara. Once again he is the snake on top of the other snake. Still looking good.

But when he went into this last shed he got a strange dingy color and is still dingy even though the old shed was completely removed. It was the first time I have ever had to help one of my snakes shed, too. They always have moist moss hides, which they use. He has been eating. So I don't know what to think!
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Bob
Pyromaniac AKA Greatballzofire
Keeping cats allows man to cohabitate with tigers. Keeping reptiles allows man to cohabitate with dinosaurs.

Replies (5)

Jlassiter Apr 25, 2011 08:34 PM

No clear answer why but I've seen both Pyros and Knobs darken, lighten and brighten at different times of the year........
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

KcTrader Apr 25, 2011 08:38 PM

I have to agree with John, my knobs do the same thing more so in females a few weeks prior to egg laying, from my experiences....
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Jimmy Tintle

pyromaniac Apr 25, 2011 08:54 PM

The rigors of mating may have had a hand in causing his dinginess. This has not happened to either if my females. Their sheds have been fine so far. The shed getting stuck on him was weird, too. It took quite a long warm bath, then gently rubbing his snout to start the process, so he could crawl though my hands and get the old shed off finally. I took great care with his eye caps. He seems fine now, but I sure hope he brightens up again.
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Bob
Pyromaniac AKA Greatballzofire
Keeping cats allows man to cohabitate with tigers. Keeping reptiles allows man to cohabitate with dinosaurs.

Bluerosy Apr 26, 2011 04:30 PM

maybe he is getting ready for another shed?
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www.Bluerosy.com

pyromaniac Apr 26, 2011 05:10 PM

maybe he is getting ready for another shed?
He just shed yesterday, so another shed so soon would seem not possible. Not that I know that much about snakes; maybe back to back sheds are possible?

Today when I fed the female who had laid eggs yesterday I fed him as well. They both ate live pinkies until they were totally satisfied. He even ate a couple of fuzzies she had not wanted. I would love it if he did shed again soon, as being dingy is sort of unattractive. Mating season is over and he is having a good appetite, so hopefully he will outgrow this yucky skin soon and shed out to his normal handsome self!
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Bob
Pyromaniac AKA Greatballzofire
Keeping cats allows man to cohabitate with tigers. Keeping reptiles allows man to cohabitate with dinosaurs.

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