Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For the past week my adult GBK became pale and had blue eyes, sure signs of an upcoming shed. But two days ago the eyes went back to their normal color, and the scales looked the same as before. No skin was present in the tank. If anyone has a clue about what could have happened, please send a response. Thanks in advance.

I talked to a friend, and they told me the eye caps probably fell off, and just to wait a few more days for the skin to come off. I soaked him for 5 minutes, and a little while later the skin was off.

The eye caps don't fall off like that. Check the shed to make sure the shed caps are there. Snake eyes clear up right before they shed.

Eye caps were still on the skin. Thanks for your help.

There is nothing abnormal for a snake to come out of "blue" before a shed. It's usually not for 1-3 days after losing the "milky" appearance, that the snake actually sheds it's skin. Any longer than 3 days and you might have a humidity issue on your hands.

Humidity issue meaning not enough or too much? I'm asking because as soon as I soaked my snake, he shed five minutes later. If the case is too little humidity, do I need more humidity all the time, or just especially during shedding time? Thanks so much.

Not enough humidity! Though GBK's do not require any substantial amount of humidity, if the air is extremely dry, you might consider a little extra humidity while the snake is in "blue". Try aiming a heat lamp at an extra water bowl in the tank. And make sure there is always water available to soak in. Good luck!!
-Ryan

Would you suggest I provide it with more humidity all the time? Lately I've been dipping my fingers in the water dish and mist it over the aspen for a little extra humidity. Too much or not enough? Thanks.

Instead of misting the tank, why dont you try giving your snake the choice of a humidity zone. Take a small tupperware container with the lid on, and drill a hole just a little bigger than the largest part of it's body. Line the bottom with moist paper towels and set it in the warmest part of the tank. This will give your snake the option of having a humid spot to go to when it wants to. Believe me, you and I could speculate all day long about what is the proper amount of humidity it needs, but ultimately only the snake knows best!

BTW, how long have you had this snake, and how big is he/she? What does it's habitat consist of? How is it heated?
How are it's feeding habits?
-Ryan

Thanks for the idea. I'll try it out and see how it likes it. To answer your questions, my snake is an adult male, which I've had for a few months. I adopted it from a local rescue. He is in a 20 gallon long, with aspen bedding, a hidebox over an undertank heater, water bowl on the opposite in, and elevated slates and wood for him to crawl over. He's never refused a meal of adult mice, which he gets once a week. Any other suggestions are welcome. Thanks so much.

Ross

Sounds like you've got the right idea. The only thing I'd do different is add another hide in the cool zone. Most of the time my gbk will choose to hide in the cool zone.

Thanks again. I'm working on a hide for the cool end. I'm going to make it out of weathered cedar from West Texas.