Reptile & Amphibian Forums

(Was hoping that Tim Spuckler would comment, due to his familiarity with this species. You can't blame a guy for trying.)

My Russian (Amur) 2011 hatchling was bought from a FL dealer last January. He now lives at with the same elevation & humidity levels previously known. He is in great health, eats well, and handles like a charm.

"Amur" means "calm" in the eastern Mongolian language where the Amur River begins. It's a good word to describe this species' nature. They "get over it" so fast. However...

He had just shed prior to arrival here on Jan 31. I waited the usual 4-6 weeks for next shed. Then another 4 weeks. I'm still waiting, with no pre-shed signs. He has not shed since mid January.

Behavior has changed slightly, too. He hides more often, as if in pre-shed mode. He was much more active in prior weeks, for many weeks after arrival. Generally not skittish when I move around him, he often likes to watch me. That has changed recently, too. He's seldom seen.

Have you seen this with Russians? Like the fact that they don't Constrict, but rather Grab & Gulp, do they also take longer to shed? *He seems to be stuck in pre-shed mode hormonally.* Prior kingsnakes sometimes took longer to shed, but I don’t recall a hatchling ever taking this long. Think that mine is just having an unusual spell??

1.0 Elaphe schrencki

Flickr photos

I wouldn't expect a snake that's almost a year old to shed that often. Something like four or five sheds a year would be more realistic. I don't keep shedding records, but I'd say my adults shed four times a year. They also don't shed at regular increments (like every two months).

To some extent it depends on how much the animal is feeding and growing. I really wouldn't worry about it.

Tim

Third Eye Herp

All true as general info, but it seems that this info confirms a difference between Kingsnakes & Rat Snake

(I'm unsure about how Asian Rat Snake species differ from those of North America in behavior & husbandry.)

My kingsnake hatchlings would usually shed about every 4-6 weeks.
Adults typically shed every season, as you state.

Yes, rat snake hathlings likely do shed less often than kingsnakes. Quite helpful, thanks.