Both snakes were “in blue” this week as they prepared to shed their skin. The phrase refers to eyes that turn cloudy, sometimes with a bluish hue. The rest of their body turns dull, too, as a thin layer of fluid separates the outer skin and new layer forming underneath. The snakes are more vulnerable with impaired vision and can be more likely to bite, so we minimize handling to avoid upsetting them.
Emory the rat snake usually has cloudy eyes for about a week. Then two or three days pass with clear eyes before she sheds her skin. If she keeps to this schedule, she should shed very soon (hopefully in time for her program in Ashland at the end of the week!).
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