Shedding Issue

[Yaqcubper]

My friend's Comlumbian Rainbow Boa is going through a really bad shed right now (I'm taking care of her for him). I've tried to boost up humidity as much as I can and added a Moss hide in the enclosure.

I didn't know she was in shed until I went in to pull her out to clean her tank. It's coming off in small pieces and there are "flakes" or individual scales all over the place. How long should I let her try and get it off on her own before soaking her?I've only had my BP for a month and don't have too much experience with snakes so any tips or information on these kinds of boas would be awesome.

Thank you!

[babyknees]

Once it starts coming off in pieces I'd soak immediately to try and hydrate the shed so the snake can get it off.

This will help: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...hed-No-problem.

[Yaqcubper]

Thank you!

She's in a ten gallon and the tubs I have are too big to fit in there but hopefully I ca still get some of it off without leaving her in the soaking tub for an hour.

[MoonlightBoas]

She's in a ten gallon and the tubs I have are too big to fit in there but hopefully I ca still get some of it off without leaving her in the soaking tub for an hour.

Are you keeping her in a 10 gallon tank with a screen top? You need to cover most of the top with aluminum foil or something immediately to keep the humidity in. Add a large water dish to the cage and a damp hide box, and you should spray to quickly get the humidity up. It would be helpful if you can post some pictures of the cage. Also, what is the temperature in the cage?

[Yaqcubper]

I just started caring for her last weekend and had to wait a few days before I could contact the owner and ask if I could make appropriate changes to her living situation.

She was in a 10 gallon glass tank with one hide that doubled as a water bowl. She has a UTH and had no thermometer, hygrometer, or thermostat.
This is the hide:



I have aluminum foil over most of the screen top and am going to wrap some around cardboard this weekend so that it fits the screen better and stays in place. I also changed this Jungle brand dirt for Cypress Mulch, added a Moss hide and dry hide (along with the one she already had) and have been spraying in there 2-3 times a day. I also added a hygrometer and have been checking the temps with my temp gun (I know I need a thermostat which I'm buying soon not only for his snake but mine too).

The temps have been low and I'm not sure what to do to increase them. The "Cool" side was a low low 66 degrees the other day but was up to 71 today (still too cool but better than 66). The warm side is only about 76. (I know it shouldn't get over 85 but I think it should be higher than 76). The owner said to add a lamp but since the humidity is still only at about 75-80% even after my efforts I don't think a lamp would be wise.

This is what her tank looks like now:



I'm going to take out the extra hide soon and try to fit another water bowl instead.

Also the UTH is under the water part of the hide (she fits under there).

[MoonlightBoas]

It looks like you're on the right track. Things could have turned bad if you hadn't acted quickly. The Cypress Mulch is a great addition. Cypress Mulch and Peat Moss do a great job at maintaining humidity. That water bowl/hide looks cool, but it isn't really large enough. If you use a water bowl that takes up about 1/3 of the floor space, that will go a long way towards maintaining the proper humidity. Your damp hide is good, but you'll be able to put more moist bedding in it if you turn it blue side up.

You're correct that the temperature shouldn't get above 85 degrees. Rainbow Boas do well with a high temperature between 78-83 degrees. Cool side temperatures around 70-75 degrees should be fine. Also, I'd trust your temp gun over the thermometer stuck to the wall because it's just telling you the temperature of the glass. Using a thermostat is a necessity, and I'm glad you're buying one. I'd be hesitant to use a heat lamp to raise the temperature. You can always add another UTH if you have to, or insulate several sides of the tank. Good luck

[Yaqcubper]

Yeah the UTH she has is normally used for a 5 gallon tank (it's the smallest Zoo Med size) so that kinda sucks. And the thing stuck to the tank is a hygrometer. Someone in another thread posted up a link on how to test hygrometers and see how far off they are from the actual humidity in a room so this weekend I'm going to take both hygrometers I have off my tanks and test them so I can adjust them as necessary.

And her tank is so tiny it's hard to think of a way to put a water bowl that big in there without removing her original rock hide or the dry, "cool" hide. The water part of that hide is actually over 2 inches deep but yeah I'll get her another one.

[MoonlightBoas]

I'd just remove the original rock hide. A large water bowl is more important. The more surface area of water, the larger area that will evaporate and increase humidity. A large shallow food storage container would make a good water bowl.

[Yaqcubper]

I am so happy to say that after raising up the humidity and switching out the substrate and what not all the stuck on shed came off and she ate great yesterday!

I didn't even have to soak her. She also looks a lot better (size wise).

[MoonlightBoas]

That's fantastic! When you have an enclosure that's properly set up, Rainbow Boas are actually some of the easiest snakes to care for. Please keep us updated