Digger the Western Hognose snake tends to shed her skin about once a year. At 30 inches long, she is near her full length and with slowed growth, she doesn't need to shed as often as a young snake. That's why I was surprised to find her eyes turning a milky white recently, just two months after her last shed.
The next stage of the shedding process, when eyes turn clear again, held another surprise. I found Digger with one cloudy white eye and one clear eye, reminding me of a one-eyed pirate. But by the end of the day both eyes were clear once again.
Digger waited another week before initiating the final stage of peeling off her old skin. She always accomplishes this step at night, so I eagerly checked each morning for a fresh skin to add to our teaching collection. But I was surprised once more when I found Digger just beginning the process in the morning as she rested in her humidity box. The old skin had started to peel away from her head, giving her the appearance of wearing a fashionable hoodie or shawl.
Over the next hour or two, Digger was able to slither out of her old skin. Her shed was a little unconventional this time, but she still came out the other side with a sleek and shiny new set of scales.
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