Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is there any way to tell if a snake is getting ready to shed, before they start shedding?

they will get a general dull appearance and the eyes will turn cloudy. this will last any where from 7-14 days...depends on the snake. i have a sonoran gopher in shed. he started to 'cloud up' last week. i had him out tonight and his eyes have cleared. he should shed in a day or two.
should not handle a snake in shedding mode. with their eyes cloudy they can not see well an might mistake you for food. best to wait till they shed then handle them or feed them.
my snakes generally shed every 6-8 weeks. some may shed more often. hope this helps.

>>they will get a general dull appearance and the eyes will turn cloudy. this will last any where from 7-14 days...depends on the snake. i have a sonoran gopher in shed. he started to 'cloud up' last week. i had him out tonight and his eyes have cleared. he should shed in a day or two.
>>should not handle a snake in shedding mode. with their eyes cloudy they can not see well an might mistake you for food. best to wait till they shed then handle them or feed them.
>>my snakes generally shed every 6-8 weeks. some may shed more often. hope this helps.

One small correction here, for what it's worth. It's true that when a snake is in the "blue" or "opaque" phase of shedding they can't see as well. They will be more defensive than normal during that period because they instinctively know that they are more vulnerable to predators during that period because they can't see. A snake that is not normally inclined to bite may very well bite during that time. It's not because he mistakes you for food. Snakes generally do not feed or have a desire to feed during that time and will usually ignore food if you try to feed them. When they are "opaque" and bite it is a defensive bite.
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We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson

My snakes have never turned down a meal during a shed cycle. They follow it (me moveing it around with forceps) like any other time. Anyway, I just wanted to add that I've noticed just before they shed their eyes clear up actually. So I still wouldn't try to handle them just because the eyes are clear again until you actually see the shed in the enclosure.

>>My snakes have never turned down a meal during a shed cycle. They follow it (me moveing it around with forceps) like any other time. Anyway, I just wanted to add that I've noticed just before they shed their eyes clear up actually. So I still wouldn't try to handle them just because the eyes are clear again until you actually see the shed in the enclosure.

In general, I don't think it's such a good idea to feed snakes while they are in shed even if they will eat. Most won't eat anyway, but some will. I have seen problems with regurgitation with snakes that are fed during the shed cycle. If it works for you, then by all means do whatever works. I don't take a chance on it, because many times once a snake starts regurgitating it is a downward spiral from there (especially with certain Pituophis).

And you are right, they will clear up a couple of days before they actually shed.
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We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson

What i've also noticed is the day they're going to shed is where you look at where their body is bent it looks very wrinkled. if you see this you can hang around and usually see them shed, if you're interested in it. i was glued to the tank the first time i saw one of mine shed lol.
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Current snakes:
0.1 Licorice Stick Black Rat (Lola)
1.0 Neonate Black Rat (het for Lic Stk's) (Frankie)
1.1 Texas Bairds (Jose and Rosa)