How Often Do Snakes Shed?

Written by Krishna Maxwell
Updated: December 29, 2023
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If you enjoy taking hikes in the woods you’ve likely seen a long, tissue paper-like piece of skin that looks a lot like a snake. This is what’s left over after the reptile has gone through ecdysis. What? Ecdysis is just another word for shedding a layer of skin.

Some snakes shed or molt their skin in one long piece while others tear it in various places during the process. If you find discarded snakeskin in one whole piece, then consider yourself lucky.

It’s interesting to study or count the individual scales and maybe even get a good idea of the shape of the reptile’s head. If you’re familiar with the types of snakes living in your area, you may be able to guess what species it was by the appearance of the empty skin.

Check out some facts on how often snakes shed their skin. In addition, find out what time of year they shed, whether they eat any food while shedding, and why a snake’s eyes turn a milky blue during this time.

Why Do Snakes Shed?

Snakes shed their skin for a couple of reasons. For one, as a snake grows from a baby to an adult, its skin doesn’t grow along with it. So, as this reptile gets longer and wider, it has to molt to make way for another layer of skin to accommodate its larger body. A snake needs new skin just like kids need new clothes when they outgrow their old ones.

A second reason a snake sheds its skin is to get rid of parasites or mites. The parasites attach themselves to the skin, so when the skin is removed, most of the parasites go right along with it. This reptile is not able to wash these parasites off its body, so shedding is necessary.

When Do Snakes Shed?

There is not a specific time of year when all snakes molt. They can shed almost any time of year. Notably, young snakes shed their skin about once a week as they continue to grow and develop. In fact, the age of the reptile plays an important role in how often it sheds.

How Often Do Snakes Shed?

These reptiles shed their skin throughout their lives. Generally, they shed from three to six times per year. Younger snakes shed more often than older ones. This stands to reason because a young snake is growing and expanding more than an adult.

How Often Do Snakes Shed
A regularly recurrent event during the activity period of all snakes is the shedding, or molting, of the skin.

©Ultrakwang/Shutterstock.com

What is the Pre-Shedding Period?

Though the actual shedding process takes a relatively short time, snakes go through a pre-shedding stage. The python serves as a great example of what the pre-shedding period is like for most snakes.

A python’s pre-shedding stage can last from one to two weeks. Its skin takes on a dull color and sometimes its underside turns a shade of pink. This color change is an indication that shedding or ecdysis is about to happen. Soon, a python’s eyes turn a milky blue color. This milky blue color is a result of fluid buildup between the old skin and the new skin over its eyes. When its eyes turn this color, this reptile isn’t able to see very well. As a note, this is an example of why the shedding process is very stressful for a python or any other type of snake.

After the skin over its eyes is renewed, its eyes go back to normal color. Then, the reptile starts shedding the rest of its skin about 24 hours later.

The exact amount of time a snake takes to shed its skin depends on its species.

What Objects Does a Snake Use to Help it Shed?

Snakes in the wild rub their bodies against rocks, tree stumps, or even the sturdy stem of a plant. It moves its body over the surface of the object slowly sloughing off the skin. If a snake lives near a shed or other structure, it may use that as a way to remove its old skin.

A large snake like a copperhead is likely to choose a sturdy tree stump or fallen log it can press against in order to molt. Alternatively, a garter may need only a small rock to help it remove its dead skin.

When you find an empty skin in the woods, look around for a potential surface where the snake did its shedding work. It’s not always easy to find the place where a snake sheds its skin. Snakes sometimes slither along for several feet leaving their outgrown skin behind them as they go.

Why is the Shedding Process a Little Different for Rattlesnakes?

Of course, a rattlesnake sheds its skin for the same reasons other snakes do. But they have an additional reason that’s unique to them.

Newborn baby rattlesnakes don’t have rattles. So, a baby can shake its tail as much as it wants, it’s not going to make a sound! If you look closely at the rattle of an adult rattlesnake, you’ll see it’s made up of segments. These segments are made of keratin. After a baby rattlesnake has shed its skin for the first time, it’s left with the first segment of its rattle. After shedding its skin several times, a young rattlesnake will have all of the segments of its rattle.

Do Snakes Eat When Shedding Their Skin?

Some snakes are notorious for never skipping a meal, but most are not interested in eating. The snake’s energy is solely focused on shedding its old skin, and as soon as they’ve finished shedding that snake will be ready for a meal.

Do Snakes Sleep When Shedding Their Skin?

These reptiles become very sluggish and lethargic right before and during the shedding process. They focus all of their attention and energy on growing new skin and getting rid of all of that old, outgrown skin.

What Are Some Misconceptions About the Shedding Process?

One misconception is snakes become aggressive during the shedding period. Not true. When a snake sheds its skin it feels vulnerable to predators. Oftentimes, these reptiles remain in familiar surroundings while they are shedding. If a snake were to bite someone while shedding, it’s due to the stress and uncertainty of the process.

A second misconception is when you see an empty skin, it means the snake is nearby. Not necessarily. The skin may belong to a reptile that has moved onto another area. Plus, sometimes a discarded skin can stay intact for weeks so it would have to be closely examined to determine how old it is.

Another common misconception is that snakes sometimes eat their old skin. This is not a regular practice of these reptiles. However, other types of reptiles are known to eat their old skin. A gecko is one example of the many lizards that eat their old skin.

Some people believe that a snake is completely blind when its eyes turn milky blue. This is not true. Though this reptile’s eyesight is dimmed for a short time, it is still able to see. This means it’s not completely helpless while shedding its old skin.

While the snake is not completely blind or helpless during this period, it may be more easily frightened or annoyed due to its limits vision and discomfort. This is the likely reason that snakes are thought to be more aggressive during this time. They may feel defensive and vulnerable, which is misinterpreted as aggression.

How Often Do Snakes Shed
An exotic veterinarian helping a smooth snake to shed its skin.

©iStock.com/Dr-MYM

What Can an Owner Do to Help a Pet Snake When It Sheds?

Snakes go through ecdysis whether they are living in the wild or kept as pets. The first thing an owner can do to help a pet snake is to learn as much as possible about the molting process. Imagine not knowing why your pet’s eyes have turned milky blue!

The soon-to-be-shed skin is dry, much like yours after a sunburn. So, to help keep that dry, dead skin flexibly, make sure their water bowl is full so they can soak if desired. You can also increase the humidity in their enclosure to help the process go more smoothly.

Be sure to have some items a snake can rub against. This can be rocks, stones, or a piece of driftwood that’s been thoroughly cleaned. Make it as easy as possible for the reptile to move back and forth past these objects inside its cage.

Keep in mind this is a stressful time for a snake. So, it’s best not to handle it during the pre-shedding period or when it’s shedding. The snake is likely to hide a lot during this time, anyway. This is a clear signal it wants to be left alone. It helps to have a box or small shelter inside the cage where the snake can go when it wants to hide.

Up Next

  • Where Do Snakes Live? Are you curios about where snakes live? Find out more about their habitats here.
  • Why Do Snakes Shed? Want to know more about why snakes shed their skins? Look not further.
  • Snake There are over 4,000 snake species. Check out more about them here.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/bitis73

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About the Author

Krishna is a lifelong animal owner and advocate. She owns and operates a small farm in upstate New York which she shares with three dogs, four donkeys, one mule, and a cat. She holds a Bachelors in Agricultural Technology and has extensive experience in animal health and welfare. When not working with her own animals and tending her farm, Krishna is helping other animal owners with behavior or management issues and teaching neighboring farmers about Regenerative Agriculture practices.

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