About Caring for Snake Skins

Why Snakes Shed

• Animals of all kinds shed skin; replacing old skin cells with new skin cells is a part of the body’s natural processes. Though most animals shed skin cells a little bit at a time, snakes shed their skins all at once. As snakes grow, their skins do not stretch, and adult snakes will wear out their skin through everyday living. Young snakes will shed every four to six weeks, whereas adult snakes shed roughly six times a year.

The Process

• When a snake is ready to shed the skin color will begin to darken and the eyes turn an opaque blue. This phase is called the “blue” phase. The snake will almost be completely blind at this point. The blue phase lasts about two to three days, and then skin will return to almost normal color. Shortly after this (anywhere from one to five days), the snake will begin rubbing its nose and jaw against various items in the tank in order to begin sloughing off the old skin by breaking the skin around the mouth. The snake will then move slowly forward, peeling the old skin away until the whole thing has come off.

Behaviors

• During the blue phase, snakes will be a lot less active and a lot more skittish. It is best not to handle the snake in this phase. A snake in the blue phase also should not be fed; most snakes won’t eat while in their shedding cycle. When the shedding cycle does begin, a snake might appear to thrash about or push its head against the glass of the tank. They do this to break the skin around the head.

Problems

• The most important thing an owner can do for a pet snake is to make sure the skin is completely shed, especially around the eyes and tail. If old skin is stuck on the tail, it can cut off circulation. Sometimes mites or bacterial infections can cause an incomplete shed, so if the snake has problems, it is always a good idea to see a reptile veterinarian.

Helping the Snake Shed

• Snakes need humidity to shed. No matter what phase your snake is in, some tropical snakes can benefit from a daily misting of luke-warm water. Soaking a snake can also be beneficial during the shedding process. Soaking snakes should be monitored, as it is possible for a snake to drown. Some owners provide layers of damp moss and paper towels to help snakes slough their skin.

  It is important to remove the spectacles--retained eye caps--due to bacteria. Though removing them is not difficult, it is best done with care so permanent damage is not done to the cornea.