Shedding and Behaviour

[Yann]

Hi everyone...

I have searched a lot of threads about shedding but couldn't find my answers...
Facts:
My MD is 2 y.o.
She shed 2 months ago, clean.
I only have her for a month so it is my first shedding experience.
About 1 week ago, her skin started to look dull. She spent a lot of time soaked in her water bowl (by day and at night) and she rubbed her nose a lot on branches and rough surfaces while moving in her tank. She is a very active snake and moves a lot, esp at night.
She hasn't had milky eyes yet.
Temp gradient from 35/36 to 24oC
Humidity level: unknown but she has permanent fresh water on the cool end and I spray her enclosure once a day.
Last feed on tuesday: 1 weaner mouse (regular feed: 1 wm once a week)
My problem is:
For the past 3-4 days she is not as active as she used to be. She spends 100% of her time in the warm end, either on top of her hide (basking site) hiding behind bushes or within her hide. She doesn't move anymore in her tank. I am not even sure she goes to her water bowl at all, even at night when I'm not watching.
Her skin is still very dull, like if it was very dirty. No milky eyes.
Question:
Is this a normal behaviour for a MD about to shed? (She looks very depressed to me)
Is there anything I can do like raising the humidity, or lowering the temp?
I know shedding process can take long, but it's been more than a week now that she's been acting like she was going to, and I am still waiting for the milky eyes.
My main concern being a huge drop in her activity level: from a very active young lady she turned herself in a lazy old snake spending her time in the heat, doing nothing!

Thank you very much everyone for your help, answers, and support.
Yann.

[swingonthespiral]

i wouldnt worry too much... my MD does that as well.... she can be grumpy anywhere up to 2 weeks before she actually turns milky.... if ur MD is eating and pooping u should be fine.... get her out and have a check for mites or any weezing or difficulty breathing just for peace of mind...

[swingonthespiral]

i forgot to add my MD loves a nice warm bath when shes in this mood....

[TANN-MANN]

Seems Normal to me if she is about to slough...my BHP is about 24-48 hours off as well, very inactive spending most of the time in the warm hide.
as far as i know it can take up to 2 weeks and is a rather stressfull time for a snake so they tend to keep to them selves.
I'm by no means an expert, as this is my first shed as well with mine, just been doin a hell of a lot of research. just keep an eye on things without disturbing her.
I hear that giving them a lukwarm bath when they get their colour back can be benificial.
anyway i porb should let a few of the experienced people comment.
best of luck

Cheers
Andrew

[swingonthespiral]

sorry i forgot to add with the pooping part.... she may not poop while shes coming up to shed.... and if she doesnt.... you'll have a huge present waiting for u when she does lol

[hornet]

i have had about 10 sheds while i have had my snakes, my young darwin doesnt have much change but the older snakes get really down looking and look real sad, after a shed she will be back to her usual self

[Chris1]

my bredli spent the entire week befoer his last shed basking and didnt wanna come out and play. i gave him a bath half way thru which he seemed to enjoy but then he went back to doing nothing.
damn i miss him when hes being like that.

[Yann]

Thanks every one... I feel a little better now.
I thought she was dying or was very sad and depressed...
She is so not herself...!
If I understood well, you would recommend a warm (what temp?) bath in a day or two...?

[hornet]

i never bathe my guys and they all shed fine, its up to you but i dont think they need it.

[Chris1]

yeah, i ended up picking Loki up cos i was wondering if he was sick or dead,...so that s probably normal.

i just put an inch or 2 of slightly warmer than luke warm water in the bath tub for Loki, he cruises around for a few mins then wants to come out.

it cant hurt to try, some seem to enjoy it, from what i've heard others dont.

[hornet]

if he has a water dish with him he will soak if he needs to

[TANN-MANN]

well mine has presented all the symptoms of yours over the past 2 weeks...and as i said before is soon to slough...Well he is sloghing NOW woop woop i'll post pics on a new thread when he has finished, mate don't worry she will be fine.
give her a bath and wait for a very unique show.

cheers
Andrew

[Yann]

Originally Posted by TANN-MANN

well mine has presented all the symptoms of yours over the past 2 weeks...and as i said before is soon to slough...Well he is sloghing NOW woop woop i'll post pics on a new thread when he has finished, mate don't worry she will be fine.
give her a bath and wait for a very unique show.

cheers
Andrew

Congrats mate...
PM me when you post the pics...
I hope my Princesse will be back soon, she makes me feel sad when she's like that!

[minusone]

i have the same "problem" right now.
just being concerned.
my MD seems really moody.
she ate last night, but didn't strike at her food like she usually does.
she didn't want to be handled yesterday at all.
had her out on saturday night and she wasn't active at all.

will bathe her tonight and she how she goes.
it's just a worrying time i guess.

[Yann]

Thank you very much everyone...

Posts were very much appreciated
Even if she's still cranky in her corner, I feel much better.
She even ate last night with the same passion as any other feed...
I'll post some pics when she's shed...

Thanks again, all of you...

Yann.