Question:
What does it mean when my pet garter snake's eyes look milky & cloudy? Is she about to shed, or is she sick?
pilates goddess
2006-03-20 17:57:17 UTC
Also, her belly markings have become rather pale, and her dorsal stripes seem dull. Otherwise, she seems ok. Her appetite is still good : she eats about 5 small minnows every other day and the occasional earthworm. (She's a young snake, about a foot long and the girth of a child's finger.) She still seems to like being held gently. Lately she's been hiding under her water dish a lot, so I'm wondering if she's getting ready to shed. Otherwise, I need to know what I should do for her so she stays well!
Seven answers:
zbelle
2006-03-20 17:59:07 UTC
She's about to shed. Make sure there is a rough edged stone in her cage or pen, that she can rub on to get the old skin off.
devouring_wind
2006-03-21 04:35:26 UTC
She's shedding, definitely. Don't be surprised if she does stop eating soon. And please don't soak her for an entire day, it could lead to an upper respiratory infection or she could become chilled (the water won't stay warm all day). In any case, that's too long to be in the water. I haven't heard about garter snakes being big on having shedding problems, so she'll probably be okay if you just let her do it naturally. If the skin starts to come off in pieces, THEN soak her in warm water, but only do it for about an hour. Hope this helps.
?
2016-10-16 12:30:59 UTC
Young Snake Eyes
stiner&dustin
2006-03-20 18:17:47 UTC
ITS SHEDDING .PUT IT IN A COINTANER OF WARM WATER AND LET IT SOAK FOR A DAY .IT WILL HELP THE SKIN COME OFF MUCH FASTER AND EASIER. ALSO BE CATIOUS BECAUSE THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO GET BIT AS THEY CANNOT SEE YOU VERY WELL.AND BECOME VERY DEFFENSIVE.AFTER THE SOAKING FOR ABOUT A HALF A DAY TO A DAY PUT IN ITS CAGE WITH A RUGGED OBJECT SO IT CAN RUBB ON IT TO GET THE SKIN TO START CUMMING OFF.IT WILL MOST LIKELY NOT EAT DURING THIS SHED SO I WOULDNT EVEN TRY TO FEED IT,TILL ITS DONE. IF YOU DONT WANT TO SOAK IT MIST IT ALOT WITH A SQUIRT BOTTLE WITH WARM WATER.
Moon
2006-03-20 18:05:23 UTC
The snake is about to shed. The snake can not really see during this period so make sure you are careful
2006-03-20 20:56:21 UTC
when its eyes are cloudy white it means that they are about to shed...you can speed up the process by misting the snake and the habitat .... and when its fully out of its old skin feed him...
fred71538
2006-03-20 18:26:13 UTC
shedding!


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