Snake Sheds Its Skin in One Satisfying Slither

Snakes shed their skin several times per year. Shedding is a good indicator that snakes are getting enough nutrition, that their environments have proper humidity levels, and that they are overall healthy. This is why finding discarded snake skins in nature is not uncommon. The process of shedding can become more complicated for snakes that are kept in captivity. If humidity levels are not correct and there are no areas to facilitate the shedding process, the shed may consume more energy than usual and require professional assistance. In one case, however, conditions were just right, and the snake slithered right out of its skin.

Owner Helps Snake Shed Its Skin

It is not uncommon for snake owners to assist their snakes with the shedding process. This can include providing a shelter for the snakes, a rough surface for them to rub against, maintaining proper humidity levels in the enclosure, and keeping the temperature warm enough to encourage snakes to be active and shed. In many cases, snake owners are advised against helping their snakes shed by pulling the snake’s skin off. This is because, while well-intentioned, assisting the snake can cause damage to the new skin or even lead to blindness as the transparent eye scale is removed.

However, one snake owner assisted his snake in shedding its skin, posting the result on social media. The result was oddly satisfying to watch (which explains why the video was posted on Reddit under “Oddly Satisfying”), but there were mixed reactions to the process. The video begins with the owner holding the snake in his hands. The head has already been cleared of the old skin. It appears as though the snake is simply slithering away from its owner, and the skin is falling away from its body. This may be because the environment was optimal for shedding. By the time the video ends, the snake, identified as a Boelen’s python, has successfully shed from head to tail.

“I’ve owned a few snakes and if they are taught to be handled they always appreciate the help with shedding,” one commenter writes.

Another person says, “My ball python LOVES that we help her shed. We’ve had her since an egg though lol.”

Those who were concerned voiced their opinions as well.

“No, that snake was not ready to shed just yet. It’s gonna be sensitive and sore for a while, prone to infection and injury,” one detractor stated. “Don’t tug the skin like that. When it’s ready to come off, the snake will do it on its own. You can help if there are some bits and pieces stuck, but not like this.”

A second Redditor explains, “This is SOO BAD and unsafe for your snake! You should NEVER have to help your snake shed unless it is legitimately stuck. you can remove healthy scales and damage your snake’s skin by doing this.”

The snake’s status was not reported after it shed its skin, but the video certainly gained a following of snake lovers, regardless of their positive or negative feelings about the man helping the snake shed.

Why Snakes Shed Their Skin

While snake skin is somewhat elastic, it cannot stretch enough to accommodate the snake’s growth, so snakes must periodically shed their outer layer of skin to allow for further growth.

According to Daniel Kane of the London Zoo, snakes learn the process of shedding at a very young age. This is because, as Kane explains to LiveScience, the first shed will happen “within a few days of hatching or being born.”

As the snake continues to grow, it will shed its skin. This is done by rubbing its head against a rough surface to begin the process. As the old skin is detached from the snake, the keratin in the new skin helps to lubricate the snake, making the process a bit easier.

The entire process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few weeks. What determines the timing are the environmental factors. Humidity levels are the most important factor. If the weather is just humid enough, conditions are perfect for shedding. If it is too dry, the shedding process can be prolonged. Conversely, if it is too humid, the snake is at risk for fungal or bacterial infections. The process of shedding has three stages, according to Scale Companions. The stages include:

It requires a significant amount of energy for snakes to shed their skin. The more there is to shed, the more effort is exerted. The shedding process only ends once a snake has died.

How Often Do Snakes Shed Their Skin?

Snakes shed their skin as they grow. It is a process that happens throughout a snake’s lifetime. It is not a time of year that makes snakes shed. Instead, it is based on a snake’s rate of growth.

Younger snakes will shed more often than adults. This is because younger snakes go through rapid growth in their first year of life, doubling or even tripling their size. As snakes grow, their skin does not grow with them. Therefore, the skin needs to be shed to allow snakes to become larger and longer.

This means that young snakes can shed their skin as frequently as once a week. Older snakes shed less frequently, at a rate of once per month to once every three months. However, with that said, adult snakes may shed more frequently, depending on whether parasites attack their skin. This process helps rid the skin of mites and ticks that may have attached themselves to the reptile.

Snake Behavior While Shedding

When snakes shed, it is a process that leaves them vulnerable. The vulnerability occurs due to their sensitive skin for several days, their eyes still adjusting to the new transparent eye scale, and the amount of stress the snakes were under during the shedding process.

With all of this change happening, it makes sense that the behavior of snakes is altered during this time. One of the most significant changes is that snakes will not eat before they begin the process of sloughing their skin. It takes a lot of effort to shed, and if that energy is used to digest food, then shedding will take more time, leaving snakes vulnerable for longer.

Snakes will also find places to shed that make them feel protected. Consequently, they will become reclusive and even hide while shedding. Snakes look for hiding places with high humidity or access to water to make the shedding process easier. In addition to these changes, snakes may even become more aggressive. Out in the wild, they may strike at creatures that snakes feel are getting too close. Snake owners have even been bitten during the shedding process if the snake feels uncomfortable.

While the man in the video has a relationship with his snake where the snake trusts him, this is not the case for all snakes. Therefore, knowing the signs of shedding or being aware when the process is beginning will help snake owners create comfortable conditions for their snakes and provide them with space if needed during this necessary but stressful event that all snake species experience multiple times per year.