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No shed in 5 months... um... worried?!

P

PinkiePie

New member
Hi there again guys. ^^

I've had my corn snake since February. She hasn't shed once... but she seems fine. Is that normal for a younger snake? (Maybe she's older than I thought... I got her at Petsmart.)

I've also noticed she has some fatness near her tail. I've read that this can be normal, but should I be worried (because of her age, I guess)?

Thanks
 
The Petsmarts around here have poor quality snakes from bad breeders, and I would highly suggest you get her stool tested for any disease. My breeder and collecting Uncle has told me horror stories of Petco and Petsmart snakes, and a rescue gave his snakes mites and even a few crypto.

I'm sure your snake is likley fine, but in the future, I would steer clear of Petsmarts snakes around here.

Pictures would help. Also, have you recorded growth? Sometimes, with non-shedders, they aren't growing fast enough because they don't have the proper food size.
 
I didn't have anything to measure her with so I haven't been keeping track but I would say she's grown between a third or double the size she was then.
 
Sorry for the late reply.

Im uploading pics of the tail as,soon as my internet cooperates. (posting via cell phone)

I noticed her skin was flaky in some places ( we had our first,heat wave but its always humid and we keep the AC going. I also give her fresh water via a cave combo and a larger water dish)
I let her run around on,a damp washrag and it seemed to help)

I also tried to feed her two pinkies but she would only eat one. Shes been a little lethargic bt I think igs the heat)
 
Again, not all Petco and Petsmart snakes are horrible or do they come from horrible breeders. They are just bought wholesale. It wouldn't hurt to get a fecal sample. But if your snake is eating and pooping then she might just be a slow grower. What ever you do PLEASE DO NOT MANUALLY SHED HER. Let her do that on her own. You can add a humid hide in the tank made out of a little butter tub or sour cream tub with damp moss. You can put a wet towel over half the top.

You can weigh her before every meal to see if she is gaining weight.
 
I would have to think humidity is not an issue in Galveston, there's no lack of moisture in the air for sure...lets break down the enclosure then...tell us temps, how you are measuring them, what substrate, then feeding schedule, issues etc...pics of everything would help :)
 
So, how large is the snake actually? Usually adults only have fatty deposits, but they do not grow 1/3 or more in 5 months. I'm clueless...
 
bitsy said:
AC will dry the air in a room, even in a naturally humid environment.
Click to expand...

True...an A/C unit can definitely dry out a house or apartment, but the Gulf Coast puts its own special definition on what "It sure is humid outside" really means to people. It's brutal :eek1:
 
I Might add most, peoples climates in the United states are a little dry right now. Most states are under an abnormal heat wave and thus the humidity is a little lower than it normally would. I've noticed my Digital hydrometer is showing lower and I'm misting a little bit more during the day.
 
473842_4175475666225_407408209_o.jpg


Theres a pic of her tail.

Her viv is set up like this: On the cold side, theres the large water dish, a fake plant for shade/climbing and her log hide. In the middle is the cave hide w/water dish so she has gradiation. There's a log on the hot side for her to climb on and a coconut half hide.

I'm using aspen bedding substrate.

I keep the temp between 81-85 depending on whether she's eating or not since it tends to get hot and make the temp go up and no one is here during the day. Sometimes I'll put a dishrag on the cold side since its near a window and that cools it down. I try not to cover the top so its well ventilated.

Let me know if I need to add anything else. I'll try to get pics of the viv but its your basic set up and I clean it once-twice a week or when it's really dirty, especially the water.
 
Also, I forgot to mention she's almost as long as her tank now. I think its time for an upgrade? (I think its a 10 or 15 gallon... maybe 20 but Im not sure)
 
Pic looks like she's about to poop big style! Has she been like that for a while?

Tank upgrade is recommended once they can stretch the length and width at the same time, so you have a little way to go yet.
 
Thanks bitsy! Yeah, she's pretty "full". I was actually kind of worried she was dehydrated so I've been checking her water to make sure its full. I am supposed to feed her today but I'm contemplating against it. Should I wait?
 
Can you tell her length in inches? I have no idea what the sizes are tanks by gallon content. But I guess she is a juvenile, that is why she is growng quite fast. I am very surprised she is not shedding meanwhile... Growing fast means shedding often.... it is that simple. I woudl worry about the plumpness above her vent, do I see that the cloaca is reddish?
 
I agree that the lump being present for that amount of time is potentially problematic in a Corn. After 2-3 months, I doubt the lump is poop and it would be unusual to see fatty deposits in a younger Corn.

As they grow, they have to shed because their skin doesn't grow with them. If it's grown over the last 5 months, then it should have been shedding. I can't offer any explanation other than a) the shed skins have been scooped up in cleaning without being noticed, or b) the snake isn't growing as you think. The second would be a problem that needs investigation in a youngster, although being still on pinkies, rapid growth wouldn't be likely if it's older than you thought when you bought it.

Does the lump feel soft and squishy, or harder and firmer?
 
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