The snake is one of the deadliest animals in the reptile kingdom. They vary in shapes, sizes, colors, and texture. There are venomous snakes and there are non- venomous snakes as well, in this world. Non-venomous snakes are usually kept as pets by people who are fascinated by snakes and people who love to keep exotic pets. Snakes have very shiny and scaly skins. Snakes are one of the animals that have a huge variety of skin coloration patterns.
To know more about snakes and how to take good care of them, you may take in consideration to take a look at The Book of Snakes: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species from around the World
One of the fascinating facts about the snake is that they have the tendency to shed their skin as and when they grow. The duration taken by a snake to shed its skin differs from snake to snake. This leaves us wondering, how long does it take for a snake to shed? On average, a snake sheds its skin within one to two weeks. So, the answer to the question “how long does it take for a snake to shed?” is answered in a very general aspect.
The shedding of the skin by a snake is a process done, to help in the growth of the snake. The snakeskin has no particular color to it. It is pale white, clear and very thin. It looks like dead skin of humans with no particular uniqueness to it. This makes it very clear that one cannot differentiate between the shed skin of one snake from the other because they would look exactly the same.
how long does it take for a snake to shed
None of the shed snake skin has any color pigment to it. However, the shed skin of a venomous snake can be differentiated from that of non-venomous snakes. This is because the shed skins of poisonous snakes have a very distinct body type and unique and recognizable skin pattern. The question “how long does it take for a snake to shed?” will have varied answers depending upon the snake. Keep reading to know about this and more on “what should I do if there is snake shed skin in my house?”
Skin shedding process of snakes
The process in which a snake sheds its skin is called ecdysis. The process is also called as sloughing and molting. Regardless of the number of names it has, the first question that pops up in our minds is, how long does it take for a snake to shed? Every snake has its own duration of shedding its dead skin. All animals and mammals shed their skin as well, but the skin shedding does not happen to the whole of the skin. It happens only in parts, and often only a minute amount of skin is shed, that a naked eye cannot keep track of it.
The snake shedding process is peculiar because snakes shed their skin completely, meaning the shed skin of the snake looks like as if a snake has just slithered out of its skin. The shed skin looks like any dead skin cells, clear and pale. When examined closely, the impression of the skin pattern and scales of the snake can be seen very clearly.
Shedding helps snakes in many ways. It acts as a skin cleanser for the snake. It not only helps in getting rid of the dead skin cells but also helps in getting rid of any dirt and debris sticking to the dead skin. Shedding helps in getting rid of any parasites that are clinging on to the dead skin cells. Snakes’ skin also has one unique quality about it.
The skin of the snake stretches and never really grows along with the snake. All other animals have skin that grows with them as they grow. The snakes’ skin will stop growing after a certain length is reached and it will only stretch from thereon.
Care for a snake when it is shedding
When maintaining a snake as a pet, it is necessary to be able to know the timing of the shedding process. Once one becomes an owner of a pet snake, he should know how long it takes for a snake to shed. If the owner is not aware of these important details, then the snake might not get the proper care. This might lead to skin damage to the snake.
When the snake starts shedding its skin, the owner should not freak out and think,” there is snake shed skin in my house,” but he should know how to help a snake shed properly. The first and foremost point to be noted is that the caretaker of the snake should know how long does it take for a snake to shed. Then, he should check the snake at regular intervals to find any signs of future shedding from the snakes’ body.
One of the ways to find out if your snake is about to shed is by looking at the snakes’ eyes. The eyes of the snakes will have a dull-bluish white appearance when they are very close to shedding their skin. Another prominent sign is the skin of the snake itself. The current skin, which is the skin that the snake is about to shed, will look duller than before.
The answer to how to help a snake shed is answered briefly and clearly in the following points. Before answering the above question, the caretaker should make sure that he knows the answer to another important question “how long does it take for a snake to shed?” After picking up the signs of shedding form the snake, the caretaker should prepare steps in making the shedding process more comfortable for the snake.
The first and foremost thing to do is to create a bedding area where the snake can be comfortable and relaxed. Snakes need a lot of humidity when they are shedding. So, create a bed or box-like thing, in which they can shed. The box should be underlined with wet paper towels to give the snake proper humidity. If the snake is kept in a glass container, water should be placed in a container nearby, so that the snake can have a proper undisturbed shedding process.
When the snake sheds its skin for the first time, the caretaker or owner should pay close attention so that they will know how long does it take for a snake to shed. Paying close attention to this can make them well-versed in knowing the answer to the question, “how long does it take for a snake to shed?” with regards to all the snakes they take care of.
Place where the snake sheds its skin
In a natural environment, where the snake is not kept as a pet or an exhibit, the snakes usually live underground. This is because they need a pretty cooler environment to live as they are cold-blooded by nature. One of the most intriguing questions that get formed in everyone’s mind is, “do snakes shed close to where they live? The answer to that question is no.
They live underground and they often come out of their hideouts to shed their skins. They also won’t shed very close to where they live, as it may become obvious to the prey and predators of the snake. The former would stay away from the place and the latter would try to find the living spot. This paragraph clearly explains the question, “do snakes shed close to where they live?”
How ball python and rattlesnake shed their skin?
The ball python is a snake that is found in the sub-Saharan African region. They are also called royal python. They live in grasslands and shrublands predominantly, unlike other snakes that live in underground burrows. The question “how long does it take for a snake to shed ?” relating to ball python has a different answer when compared to the average time a snake takes to shed its skin.
Ball python shedding signs
The process of ball python shedding skins takes about four to six weeks. Once the question “how long does it take for a snake to shed?” is answered, we move on to find out more about the ball python shedding signs, so that we can be cautious about the same.
The scales of the ball python begin to get dull. It will have opaque blue eyes. They will have a lack of appetite, and they will be very lethargic and defensive. Their skin becomes very wrinkly when the rattlesnakes are close to their shedding process.
Rattlesnakes shedding signs
Rattlesnakes are cold-blooded snakes that are venomous in nature. The venom is not lethal when the bite is properly treated. One of the most distinctive features of a rattlesnake is the rattle that it has at the end of its tail. The rattle is made out of keratin. It is an interlocking of several rings of keratin.
The rings are formed each time the process of rattlesnake shedding skin is completed. The question of “how long does it take for a snake to shed?” relating to rattlesnake arises as soon as the fact about the rattle is discussed. The answer to the question is that the rattlesnake shedding skin process happens twice or thrice a year.
As they shed, they create one ring as an addition to their rattle. Sometimes, when more rings are there in a rattle, a ring may fall off when a new one is added. The number of times a rattlesnake sheds its skin cannot possibly be determined with the number of rings it has on the rattle because they tend to fall off when more rings get added on.
The process after the shedding of skin
“What happens after a snake sheds its skin” is a thought that makes us all very curious. The fact that snakes shed their skin periodically and not continuously like other animals are known to everyone. This periodical process of shedding its skin might make the snake tired once the shedding is over. So, the snake usually goes into hiding in its living burrow or grasslands or shrublands to rest until it gains back its strength to come back to normalcy.
There is also a chance that its vision can be a little bit fuzzy once the skin is shed. The answer to what happens after a snake sheds its skin is no longer a mystery with the above brief explanation.
Handling a snake when it is shedding its skin
Any caretaker of a snake would have always had this one thought when they are taking care of a snake that is about to shed. The thought is “can I hold my snake while it’s shedding?” The answer is, it is highly recommended that one should not hold a snake when it is shedding because the new skin under the shedding skin is very delicate and can tear when not handled properly.
If the person is so keen on having the snake in their hands while it sheds, they should be very gentle in handling the snake. The straight forward answer for the question “can I hold my snake while it’s shedding?” is yes, but with great care and gentleness.
Snakes as a pet for children – the best snake for a child
By far, the best snake for a child is a corn snake. This snake is one of the commonly used snakes as a pet. They are very easy to maintain and are pretty small in size when compared to an average-sized snake. They are non- venomous, and thus can be kept as pets in houses where there are small children. The answer to the question “how long does it take for a snake to shed its skin?” with regards to corn snake is that it sheds once every few months.
Signs to know if a snake’s shedding is new Everyone is not a snake enthusiast, and most of the people are terrified of the snakes. It is not a valid reaction to panic as soon as seeing a snakeskin because that might be a very old shedding. The signs to know if it is a newly-shedded skin are that the shedding will have a clear skin pattern and a little bit of moisture to it. Now that you know the basics of the snake-shedding process, treat your snakes with utmost care in this phase.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the frequency of shedding in snakes depends on factors such as age, size, species, and environment. Most snakes shed their skin every few weeks or months when they are young, but shed less frequently as they mature. On average, it takes snakes about 1-2 weeks to shed their skin, during which time they may exhibit changes in behavior and appearance. Proper husbandry and diet are essential to ensure healthy shedding in pet snakes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do snakes eat their shed skin?
Yes, snakes do eat their shed skin. This behavior is known as dermatophagy, and it is a natural process that helps snakes to recycle nutrients and maintain their health. Eating their shed skin also helps to reduce the risk of predation, as it eliminates the scent of the snake and makes them less detectable to potential predators.
How to preserve a snake shed?
To preserve a snake shed, it should be kept dry and away from sunlight or heat sources. Placing it in a sealed container or bag can help to protect it from moisture and pests. Some people also use a preservative solution, such as a mixture of glycerin and water, to keep the shed pliable and prevent it from cracking.
Do snakes shed their eyes?
No, snakes do not shed their eyes. However, they do shed their eye caps, which are transparent coverings that protect their eyes. If a snake fails to shed its eye caps properly, it can lead to eye problems, such as infections or ulcers. In such cases, it is important to seek veterinary care.
Hi, my name is Idammah, and I am a huge animal lover! I have always had a special place in my heart for pets, especially cats. I currently have a rescue cat named Simba, who has brought so much joy and love into my life. In my free time, you can find me playing with my cats or watching some animal documentaries. When not spending time with my cat, I enjoy writing about my experiences as a pet owner and sharing helpful tips and advice with other pet lovers. I hope to connect with other pet enthusiasts and share our love for animals through this blog.
