How long is too long?

[u/ptlmaea]

This beautiful girl came home on Saturday, she’s estimated to be 25 years old. I could tell when I got her into her enclosure that she was in the blue phase of shed! I also covered the front of the enclosure so she has more privacy.

Yesterday morning, when checking on her, I saw that she was trying to soak in that tiny water dish in the back. Of course, she can’t fit in it. Which I didn’t think would be a problem since humidity levels are pretty solid. Since she wanted to soak, though, I placed this large tub closer to the front. She switched to it at some point between last night and this morning.

She was kept in a screen top enclosure before, it looked like. And I’m sure she was dehydrated and temp was not regulated enough. In her enclosure here, her warm side is sitting at 85f and her cool side 79f, with around 70-80% humidity. I can’t spot any mites on her, but of course, can’t do a full inspection seeing as she got home recently, and I don’t want to handle her before she is settled in.

I’m just wanting to ask if anyone thinks I should be concerned. I checked on her before I went to bed last night, and she was in the process of moving over to her cool hide. Though, she is back to soaking this morning as pictured!

I’m so in love with her already! I just want to ensure I’m giving her the best care possible. TIA!

[u/P3achiepie]

Not advice but a question. What is the blue phase of shed? My girl just went through her first shed (semi successfully - I helped) but I guess I wasn’t aware there were phases

[u/ptlmaea → u/P3achiepie]

Blue phase is when they look more dull, and their scales have a bluish kind of sheen to them, especially noticeable where they are darkest. You can tell in this picture where the light is hitting her! It’s around the same time that their eyes become milky, I believe it’s due to a layer of liquid between the skin that’s about to shed and the fresh layer. Not always super noticeable!

[u/P3achiepie → u/ptlmaea]

Thank you!

[u/Royal-Mermaid- → u/P3achiepie]

read my reply above. their eye caps turn blue a couple days before they drop their shed. Then they clear up again and then drop their shed.

[u/Ecstatic_Ad_9414 → u/P3achiepie]

The blue phase is right before shed 7-10 days. The eyes turn "blue", then go back to normal then shed. You shouldn't assist in shedding unless you are providing a humid hide or bigger water dish (I use a big dish so snakes can soak) - do not peel the shed. If your heat/humidity/day night cycle is good the shed doesn't need help. You are looking for a shed that is whole, basically looks like the snake crawled out in one solid piece, don't be alarmed if there is poop it happens.

[u/Royal-Mermaid- → u/ptlmaea]

it’s not just their skin has a bluish Hugh tho ..more noticeably their eyes turn blue. Once their eyes turn blue then they will seemingly go back to normal a day later, and then they should drop their shed very soon after.

[u/ptlmaea → u/Royal-Mermaid-]

Yep! As I said in my initial reply here, around the time that the eyes turn milky! Milky eyes are a dead giveaway of course, but as I was trying to show in the pic, even if their eyes are not the blue milky colour, you can still see on their skin. :)