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My CRB has been shedding much more frequently than I think is normal. He is a full grown adult male (about 5 ft long, 4 lbs) of unknown age (at least 5 years old). I got him in November of 2002, and since then he has shed 12 times! That's 12 sheds in about 15 months. That puts his frequency around every 4-6 weeks. It seems to be independent of the quality of shed. He's had perfect sheds and not so good sheds, but he'll always shed within the next 6 weeks or so. His previous home was at a zoo, and their records show that he only shed 3 times in the year up until they sent him to me. He's been checked out by a herp vet twice. Both times the stool samples were negative for parasites. They took blood the second time and that was negative as well. No blisters or other skin problems. He has not had weight change either. In short both times the vets said he looked beautiful and healthy. Neither they nor another herpetologist I know can think of a reason why he's shedding so frequently. They've said as long as he doesn't show any other symptoms of illness (there have been none), then I shouldn't worry about it. I'm concerned that this could be stressful and unhealthy for my snake. Is this normal for some snakes? Is there something that could be wrong with him that I'm missing? Does anyone have experience with anything like this?

Thanks so much!

Zoosnake,
. I have two adult CRBs here. One was a WC small adult in 1989 and the other was CB in 1993. I looked at my records. Since November 2002 one of them has shed 10 times and the other one has shed 11 times. They both are maintaining good weight on light rations. If I was feeding them more I would expect them to shed more often. Young Rainbow Boas that are growing will shed 12 to 15 times per year. I think that rainbow Boas shed more often than many other snakes because their skin is thin. If you will compare a shed skin from one of your CRBs to the shed from a similar size Boa Constrictor you will see that the CRB skin is much thinner.
Jeff

>>My CRB has been shedding much more frequently than I think is normal. He is a full grown adult male (about 5 ft long, 4 lbs) of unknown age (at least 5 years old). I got him in November of 2002, and since then he has shed 12 times! That's 12 sheds in about 15 months. That puts his frequency around every 4-6 weeks. It seems to be independent of the quality of shed. He's had perfect sheds and not so good sheds, but he'll always shed within the next 6 weeks or so. His previous home was at a zoo, and their records show that he only shed 3 times in the year up until they sent him to me. He's been checked out by a herp vet twice. Both times the stool samples were negative for parasites. They took blood the second time and that was negative as well. No blisters or other skin problems. He has not had weight change either. In short both times the vets said he looked beautiful and healthy. Neither they nor another herpetologist I know can think of a reason why he's shedding so frequently. They've said as long as he doesn't show any other symptoms of illness (there have been none), then I shouldn't worry about it. I'm concerned that this could be stressful and unhealthy for my snake. Is this normal for some snakes? Is there something that could be wrong with him that I'm missing? Does anyone have experience with anything like this?
>>
>>Thanks so much!

Jeff,
Thanks for your info. That makes me feel a lot better knowing that this isn't too abnormal. I think it's still a little strange because he only shed 3 times in the year before I got him. Do you think there could be residual stress from the move? He was in a very tall exhibit at a zoo (and living with a BRB), now he's alone in a smaller enclosure (5'L x 2'W x 2.5'T). Could a change in diet cause this? He was getting one small mouse once a week, now I have him on a bigger mouse (40 g) every other week (per vet recommendation). I guess lingering questions are which shedding rate is "normal" for him, and could the increased shedding be a sign of good health, not poor health. At any rate, knowing that your healthy CRB's also shed frequently gives me some peace of mind. Thanks!

Male Colombian rainbow
first year shed 14 times
second year shed 8 times
third year 11 times
forth year 10 times

Male Colombian rainbow
first year shed 12 times
second year 11 times
third year 9 times
forth year 9 times
fifth year 8 times
sixth year 10 times
seventh year 9 times
eighth year 8 times

Female Colombian rainbow
first year shed 12 times
second year 10 times
third year 8 times
forth year 9 times
fifth year 9 times
sixth year 10 times

Brazilian rainbow (Peruvian origin)
first year (was captured as a neonate) shed 10 times
second year 10 times
Anyway, you get the picture. They seem shed very frequently even after they are adults.
Also, the female Colombian rainbow boa gave birth her forth, fifth and sixth years and that didn't seem to alter her shed cycles.