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Oscar2014
Snake Mite
9 Posts |
 Posted - 25/05/2014 : 15:52:02
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Hi Guys,
Oscar shed for the first time this week (with me at least). I was very worried about how he was avoiding me completely (for example spending ALL day and night in the hide and being very 'lively' when trying to pick him up). This was despite not having 'clouding' of the eyes and his skin looking bright as usual. One day I go to work, I come home and he has shed.
Is this normal? I was very worried about him as he is extremely lively. Always trying to get out. Which BTW he did! Last week he escaped…
The question I have is this. Since getting Oscar I have noticed that he has 'rough' parts on the underside of his stomach, when he is stroked forward. Is this normal? It's only in patches. I can't SEE anything there at all but wasn't sure. He has been like this since I got him but I didn't notice until I got him home and settled for a week.
The shed came off in one big clump; no holes or evidence that any got stuck. His head and eyes are completely free of shed (BTW)
Any Ideas?
Thanks in Advance |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2014 : 07:39:14
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His behaviour from the point of his eyes clouding over until he shed is totally normal. Although his eyes clear and his colour seems to return to normal before he actually sheds he still feels very vulnerable and stressed, which is why he would hide away and try to escape when you handled him. I don't see mine at all once they turn blue. Different snakes react differently but I've chosen not to handle or feed mine during this period, to keep their stress levels as low as possible.
How old is he? Him constantly trying to escape does seem to indicate breeding behaviour but it's good to check other reasons. I'm assuming he's got a heatmat, controlled by a thermostat and monitored by a digital thermometer? What is the temp in the warm end? If his set-up isn't right then that could be stressing him out and cause this sort of behaviour. Is he eating ok?
I'm not sure what to say about the 'rough parts'. Are you sure it's not just his scales as you rub against the way they're lying? Without a pic we can't easily help and you say that you can't see any difference. Sorry, I'm being useless with this bit  .
Xxx
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Oscar2014
Snake Mite
9 Posts |
Posted - 27/05/2014 : 21:01:52
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Thanks for the response.
He was born in Oct 2013 I believe. He has eaten every week since he was born though I don't know how much he weighs so maybe an increase in food may be needed. He eats a pinkie a week.
The temps are consistently 29-30 degrees in the warm and about 23 degrees in the cool. Funnily he very much prefers the cool end but does vary. I can't get the cooler end any warmer but he occasionally drops to 20 degrees but he seems to really like the cool end. Yep I have a thermometer (digital) and a decent thermostat as the one I originally got was a lil rubbish.
Thanks :) |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 28/05/2014 : 07:35:01
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With him being so young it may be worth feeding him every 5 days rather than weekly. This thread is a very rough guide to feeding and may help - http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=27833 If there isn't much of a bump after he's eaten his pinkie then it may be worthwhile offering him 2. I'd encourage you to start a record of his weight. It's a good way to chart his progress and spot any health issues. I weigh mine before each feed, when I know they're 'empty' of poo  . I use digital scales, put a shoe box on and zero them. You'd obviously use a box that's appropriate to Oscar's size, I then add the snake and that gives me it's weight.
Well done with the thermostat and thermometer  . They're such vital pieces of equipment but too many people don't think they're necessary  . The temps seem fine. I wouldn't worry about the cool end being too cool. He's got a warm end to move to if he wants to. It may be that he's got a favourite hide and it happens to be in the cool end. Does he stay in it after you've fed him?
Xxx
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Oscar2014
Snake Mite
9 Posts |
Posted - 30/05/2014 : 23:26:08
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I might increase him to two pinkies a week as he is getting bigger by the week!
He has gone up to 18g now. I got some digital scales today and weighed him. Ill keep a check on him every week or so.
I learnt to get a thermo and thermostat from here! Thanks everyone for the advice with that. I'd never risk injury to any animal, especially a snake that relies so much on being 'on the ball' with care.
He seems to love both hides as much as each other. Saying that he goes crazy around the tank for 10 minutes after feeding then settles for half a day before back up and lively.
He has settled down considerably since I got him though and will actively seek 'cuddly' time when I have him out! lol |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 31/05/2014 : 08:24:50
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Sounds like he's doing really well  . It's so good hearing that an owner has done their research and knows what their snake needs . He is blessed to have you as his owner.
Xxx
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Oscar2014
Snake Mite
9 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2014 : 22:15:42
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| Thanks! I think the thing is I didn't want to get a snake and then not have a clue what was happening. We have built quite a nice lil bond now and he often wants to crawl on me instead of the sheet I put down for him! |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2014 : 08:24:18
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You're doing brilliantly by the sounds of it, especially if you were thrown in at the deep end. It's lovely having them slither over you, until they decide to poo  .
Xxx
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Oscar2014
Snake Mite
9 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2014 : 16:58:16
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| yep every time it seems! |
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Rough Patches on Stomach - :(
