Concerned about lack of shedding

[OzExcalibur]

Hi there, starting to get a bit concerned about my male MD. It has been 4 months since he last shed. Before that he has regularly shed at 2 month intervals.

29/01/07 - hatched
19/05/07 - shed
18/07/07 - shed
22/09/07 - shed
14/10/07 - measured 870mm
30/11/07 - shed
16/02/08 - measured 930mm

He is feeding well on velvet rats, 1 rat around every 10 - 16 days, I mix it up a bit, although he is only interested if I dangle them and he can strike at them and not interested if I just leave them on the floor.

He went from adult mice to velvet rats on the 05/01/08

He defecates regularly, at least once and usually twice between feeds.

His hot spot is 34 degrees, his cool spot is 27 degrees and his night time hot spot is around 28 degrees.

He comes out and climbs around his branches every night, and when he has eaten he spends the night basking on his log under the heat lamp.

Everything about him seems to be normal apart from the lack of shedding.

From what I have read he should be shedding approx every 8 weeks like he was, but at the moment he still doesn't even look close to shedding, should I be concerned?

TIA for any advice offered.

[fuegan13]

maybe hes a tidy snake and disposed of his shed skin before you saw it ?

not sure to be honest but like snakes shed when they grow so maybe he just hasn't grown enough to warrant a shed ? although if hes eating regularly then i doubt this would be the case unless it has worms or something which could be "stealing" nutrition... just a random theory

[Ewan]

Good on you for providing all that info for us. I wouldn't be too concerned just yet. Common signs of problem shedding are eyes milky constantly or flakey sheds or flakey scales. It seems you have not witnessed any signs of shedding or its behavior does not reflect common slough behaviour. I would suggest that its growth has slowed down. You could increase the food size if the feed does not create a decent buldge in its belly or if its poops are small and occuring only a few days after feeding. I have 4 yearlings at the moment about the same age and size as yours shedding every 5 - 6 weeks and they are feeding on large weaner rats or medium rats 1 every 14 days ish. Hope this helps.

[OzExcalibur]

Yeah he is definatley not showing any signs of trouble, his eyes are normal, there are no loose or flaky bits, his poops are in proportion to his size and take 8 - 10 days to come through.

Thanks for the replies, it put my mind at ease. I will just wait it out and keep an eye on him. He is usually out a couple of times a week so I am sure I will spot any trouble as it occurs.

[Ewan]

No probs! Good luck with it I'm sure he will be fine!