New clothes

Raoul our beautiful corn snake has been hiding away for a few days, tightly curled inside his stone cave in the vivarium. Here's the reason why: he had gone 'blue', his usual bright colour turned unusually dull and his mood lethargic while preparing for a skin-shed.

This is the third time he has shed his skin in the year since I adopted him last December. After the temporary hibernation he is now back to his bright, alert, interested self. Of course, today being once-a-fortnight feeding day may also have quite a lot to do with that keen and watchful stare ...