Trying Earthworms

[guidofatherof5]

i caught them for my empty fish tank lol. my step kids and i were out trying to catch tadpols, but i think we were a little late in the season for them lol.

i am gonna wait and see if he sheds. his eyes are cloudy....i guess that is a sign he is getting ready, maybe that is why my snake is not keen on eating at the moment.

Some snakes don't eat when in opaque phase (shedding phase). Make sure your snake has access to a large water bowl that will allow him to swim. Many snake take a dip just before to aid in he shedding process. Once he has shed be sure to look for a complete shed. You'll need to see two eye caps and a complete tail shed.

[EasternGirl]

Yep...he made need time to adjust and the fact that he is getting ready to shed might keep him from eating too. Most of my new snakes wouldn't eat when I first got them...and some will not eat during shed time. You might also consider fish fillet. I do feed fish..but not live fish. I go to the seafood counter at my supermarket or to a seafood store and buy fresh, never frozen, fish. Tilapia is good, farm-raised rainbow or steel-head trout is good too. Just make sure you are feeding other things besides fish...a varied diet is best. I cut the fish into small pieces and freeze what is left...then thaw the rest when feeding. Always feed it raw...never cooked.

[Mandi0284]

i checked on my little guy today after i got home from work. his eyes are clear again...so not sure what was going on.

thanks for all the great suggestions about foods to try with him. i will pick up some fish and earthworms next week and try offering them.

[guidofatherof5]

If the eyes are back to normal this means the shed should take place within the next week. Could be as early as today.
You just need to keep an eye out for it.

[EasternGirl]

Yep...with the shed process usually the eyes go blue/cloudy for a couple of days, then they clear up, then the shed takes place within a day to a week after...depending on the snake.

[Mandi0284]

i am so excited.
should i leave him alone till he sheds? is it still ok to handle him?

[guidofatherof5]

I try not to handle my snake that are in shed. They are much more jumpy and seem to not like it.
I'm guessing it's not just their vision that is affected by the shed but maybe the sensitivity to touch also(just my opinion, no proof)
I do have a couple of radixes that still come out during shed and act as if nothing is going on. They are the exception to the rule though.

[EasternGirl]

Yes...I agree with Steve. Snakes in shed mode are at their most vunerable in the wild...so it is their natural instinct to be protective and defensive during this time. They like to hide and don't like to be handled much. I usually try to leave mine alone as much as possible before a shed.

[kibakiba]

Most of mine don't mind being handled while in shed, but they've been with me for a long time. I'm pretty sure they know me by smell if they cant see with all the foggy eyes and such. But, I don't recommend it, since it can stress them out if they are more jumpy.