Do they eat their shed skin?

stonyloam · 05-29-2007, 08:08 AM

This may seem like a kind of elementary question, but do garters eat their old skin after a shed? My largest snake apparently shed last night (went from milky eyes and dull to crystal clear eyes and shiny) but here is no sign of the old skin (all 5 of my snakes have shed but only found 3 skins). Is that normal ? Just wondering. Thanks.

Stefan-A · 05-29-2007, 08:15 AM

The eyes always clear up for a couple of days before it actually sheds.

But to answer your question, it has happened, but it's extremely rare and it's atypical behavior. I believe the theory is that it is triggered by scent from food items it might have come in contact with.

stonyloam · 05-29-2007, 08:39 AM

Thanks Stefan. I guess two have not shed, even though the eyes have cleared. Learning every day.

Stefan-A · 05-29-2007, 08:42 AM

It's the same for all of us, I guess. There's so much to know.

adamanteus · 05-29-2007, 11:11 AM

A lot of lizards, notably geckos eat their shed skins, as do frogs. I've never heard of it in snakes.

stonyloam · 05-29-2007, 04:21 PM

Came in this afternoon and found another empty skin (perfect shed). Guess Stefan was right again, Why am I not surprised?

Thanks, I learned a little today.

Stefan-A · 05-30-2007, 02:52 AM

No problem, but you were right, it was pretty elementary.

It's something everybody learns after a month or two (at the most) of keeping snakes, so I figure anybody here could have answered your question.

Stefan-A · 05-30-2007, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamanteus

A lot of lizards, notably geckos eat their shed skins, as do frogs. I've never heard of it in snakes.

There's a picture of keratophagy in progress in Strumpfbandnattern.

stonyloam · 05-31-2007, 07:47 AM

My big gravid female shed last night, so they are done, 5 perfect sheds. They sure are pretty now! Thanks!!!!

Boots · 06-01-2007, 12:34 AM

Here is an article off the original Thamnphis.com server. Article

A Special thanks to Jürgen Chlebowy for allowing us to host the old articles.

Jason

05-29-2007, 08:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
stonyloam "Third shed, A Success" Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 490 Country:	Do they eat their shed skin? This may seem like a kind of elementary question, but do garters eat their old skin after a shed? My largest snake apparently shed last night (went from milky eyes and dull to crystal clear eyes and shiny) but here is no sign of the old skin (all 5 of my snakes have shed but only found 3 skins). Is that normal ? Just wondering. Thanks. __________________ Terry

05-29-2007, 08:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
Stefan-A The Prince of Insufficient Light. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Finland Posts: 4,141 Country:	Re: Do they eat their shed skin? The eyes always clear up for a couple of days before it actually sheds. But to answer your question, it has happened, but it's extremely rare and it's atypical behavior. I believe the theory is that it is triggered by scent from food items it might have come in contact with. __________________ Natura non contristatur

05-29-2007, 08:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
stonyloam "Third shed, A Success" Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 490 Country:	Re: Do they eat their shed skin? Thanks Stefan. I guess two have not shed, even though the eyes have cleared. Learning every day. __________________ Terry

05-29-2007, 08:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
Stefan-A The Prince of Insufficient Light. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Finland Posts: 4,141 Country:	Re: Do they eat their shed skin? It's the same for all of us, I guess. There's so much to know. __________________ Natura non contristatur

05-29-2007, 11:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
adamanteus Moderator Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cheshire. (Near Manchester). Posts: 6,674 Country:	Re: Do they eat their shed skin? A lot of lizards, notably geckos eat their shed skins, as do frogs. I've never heard of it in snakes. __________________ James.

05-29-2007, 04:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
stonyloam "Third shed, A Success" Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 490 Country:	Re: Do they eat their shed skin? Came in this afternoon and found another empty skin (perfect shed). Guess Stefan was right again, Why am I not surprised? Thanks, I learned a little today. __________________ Terry

05-30-2007, 02:52 AM	#7 (permalink)
Stefan-A The Prince of Insufficient Light. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Finland Posts: 4,141 Country:	Re: Do they eat their shed skin? No problem, but you were right, it was pretty elementary. It's something everybody learns after a month or two (at the most) of keeping snakes, so I figure anybody here could have answered your question. __________________ Natura non contristatur

05-31-2007, 07:47 AM	#9 (permalink)
stonyloam "Third shed, A Success" Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 490 Country:	Re: Do they eat their shed skin? My big gravid female shed last night, so they are done, 5 perfect sheds. They sure are pretty now! Thanks!!!! __________________ Terry

06-01-2007, 12:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
Boots Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 408 Country:	Re: Do they eat their shed skin? Here is an article off the original Thamnphis.com server. Article A Special thanks to Jürgen Chlebowy for allowing us to host the old articles. Jason

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