Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[Yellowgrub]

my two year old rat snake has not shed for about three months. Is this normal? Am I panicking for no reason? I know they hit maturity at two years (or there abouts), but he's normally regular in his sheds (about ever month or two). I have been accused of being a worrier where he's concerned! But he's my first snake!

Cheers!
Taz

[lovesnakes]

doesn't sound like much to worry about at the moment.

how often does he feed?
have you changed his feeding pattern at all?

obviously snakes shedding cycle will change as they get older (and bigger), the bigger they get the less they need to shed so you can expect to notice a change in his shedding pattern.

as long as he eats drinks and poops and remains healthy, don't worry

hope this helps
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best of luck in the new season

[Yellowgrub]

Firstly, thanks for getting back to me so quickly, I appreciate it! I feed him every 8-10 days, so I have lengthened the time between feeds but only by a day or so. He is quite big now too, probably close to five foot. He has absolutely no problems eating (he's a bit of a gullet actually) - and seems perfectly healthy in himself. It's just this shedding thing had me worried! But, as you say, their patterns do change, then it probably isn't anything to worry about, just thought I'd check with those who know more!

How often do rats shed when they get older then?

Cheers!

[lovesnakes]

your feeding schedule is a long one so that will explain why the change in shedding. personally (just my opinion!) I would look to every 7 - 8 days at the very most.
it has been argued that even at around 8 days you're feeding just to sustain life. if you should notice a drop in activity or weight loss, up the feeding to around 7 days

being around 5ft will also have something to do with it being that most of the growing is now done - don't get me wrong, he'll continue to grow just a lot slower

as to how often? can't really say to be honest, possibly 2 - 3 times a year!?!

it shouldn't be long before you get a response from some of the others, should i have missed anything.
there are some great rat snake enthusiasts on here and can probably tell you a lot more than I


would be nice to see a piccy too

best of luck
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best of luck in the new season

[Snowy]

It also depends on what food and size of food you are feeding him. As said though most of the growth is now done in the fella and so shedding will reduce as the growth rate has too.

[lovesnakes]

[Yellowgrub]

Thanks again, I'm getting conflicting advice left, right and centre! I'll go back to 7 days then, as I've been feeling a little guilty about keeping his rats from him!

As for the pic, I took these a week ago, when he was smooching about!

Cheers!
Taz

[lovesnakes]

great pics, lovely looking rat

thing with reptiles is everyone has their own way of doing things so conflicting information is inevitable, with forums it's a little harder also, due to the fact we can't see the animals hands on, so we can only give advice based on individual opinions.

your snake looks in great health and quite a girth to him too, so don't worry too much at this stage about changing feeding schedules (Hmm! conflicting advice )

you will know your snake better than anyone and you soon learn what advice to take and what advice to disregard

nice set up too btw, certainly looks to be enjoying himself
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best of luck in the new season

[Yellowgrub]

Sorry, I didn't mean that to sound as it came out - it's hard to get that across in text! I do appreciate any advice, seriously! It's hard to get advice from the folks I know who have snakes, as I'm the only one with a rat - my cuz has a rainbow boa, another mate has a king, etc. Again, I didn't mean to sound ungrateful!

Thanks for the comment on the set up too. It's a bit sparse as the moment, as I had to strip his viv as he got hurt a few months back. I'm slowly adding to it now, and hopefully it'll be back to it's former glory soon enough!

[peaches]

You know that now after asking this he's probably going to shed soon lol As others have said, shedding does slow down but great your keeping records though.

As for conflicting advice - it's everywhere, you have to pick and choose, what suits you and your snake, feeding wise with me, I feed adults about every 10-14 days.....alot of this again depends on the actual snake, how active they are. I like to wait until i actually see my snake out 'hunting' so to speak, but that again is just my opinion.
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