Shed problem?

[emmm1984]

I noticed this morning that my bp has a tiny fleck of what looks to be skin attached to his nose. Today's the first day he's really come out and explore in the day (I've only had him a few days), and while he let me handle him I didn't want to over do it so soon and start poking around his face. He has a humid hide in his tank, but I haven't seen him use it. Any other tricks to helping him get it off? I'm not sure when he last shed, and the lousy guy at Petsmart didn't know either. I'm thinking of just taking him to a reptile vet in the area to have him checked out because in general Petsmart tips/products haven't worked out so well for me. Would they be able to help?

[Slim]

I can't imagine that your new BP had a good shed at PetSmart, or on the way to PetSmart, for that matter. A little stuck shed here and there is to be expected.

Keep an eye on it and make sure you have your humidity correct. With proper humidity, it should all come off with the next shed, if she doesn't get it off sooner than that.

Pictures would help, but it doesn't sound like you need a trip to the Vet for this issue.

[emmm1984]

I can't imagine that your new BP had a good shed at PetSmart, or on the way to PetSmart, for that matter. A little stuck shed here and there is to be expected.

Keep an eye on it and make sure you have your humidity correct. With proper humidity, it should all come off with the next shed, if she doesn't get it off sooner than that.

Pictures would help, but it doesn't sound like you need a trip to the Vet for this issue.

I'm still working on the humidity, but hopefully will be fully resolved by this weekend once I get my UTH and thermostat. I kinda figured the skin thing didn't require a vet, but with everything Petsmart has told me or sold me it just made me wonder if maybe I should have her health evaluated too. I'll keep my eye on it tho.

On the subject of humidity, however, I've read that Aspen bedding, which is what I use, is really dry and does poorly for humidity. You wouldn't happen to have any suggestions on a switch, would you? And thanks again for all the tips.

[Slim]

Substrate is a whole can of worms unto itself

I use Indented Kraft paper becuase in my rack system, I don't have to worry about my subtrate keeping my humidity up.

Way back when I still used a glass tanks, I used the shredded coconut stuff for a while and then tried Eco Earth. Ultimatly, humidity troubles are why I ditched the glass tanks and went to PVC cages. Once I went over 4 snakes, I switched to racks and tubs. I haven't looked back since.

A lot of folks have more recent glass tank experience than I do. I'm sure some one will pipe in with a suggestion.

[Jazi]

In my 55gal I've got cocohusk and aluminum foil taped on (with foil tape) my screen top, keeps my humidity a good range before I have to refresh it again, and in all honesty I'm only refreshing because Quetzal's in shed and needs it higher.

If you go that route make sure you have no parts where the snake could get to the foil tape (veeery sticky, very dangerous) and cut 2-3 small holes in the foil part (NOT the screen!) for ventilation.

[emmm1984]

I can definitely see how glass tanks could push people to switch. It's been less than a week and I feel like I've had enough trouble with it. I've seen the coconut stuff so maybe I'll give that as shot. Couldn't hurt at this point, right?

[Jazi]

In the mean time you can also use a damp towel over 90% of the screen... just be aware that the towel will eventually start to stink, which is why I switched to the aluminum foil method.

[DooLittle]

You could definately try the Eco earth, and a larger water dish over/under your heat source, dependant if you use a lamp or uth. We started out with the whole glass tank thing. Didn't take us too long to ditch it and put the snakes in tubs in a rack. Very happy I did that. Tubs hold temps and humidity perfect, plus are a thousand times easier to clean, and easier access to snake with out sliding locking screen lids with crap on top of them or heat lamps in the way..imo.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

[unmei]

i have a glass tank. i have tin foil on one side of the screen top, and two water bowls (one directly under the lamp). i use aspen and the humidity is normally 45-50%, and during shed cycles i mist a couple times a day and bump it to 60%. the piece of shed on your snake's nose will either fall off on its own or come off in the next shed, so don't worry too much about it.

[ExotixTowing]

Aspen on the hot side, Cypress in the middle, Repti Bark on the cool side (Soaked prior to laying in the tank) with some Aspen.

I havent misted in 2 days and I am at 48% humidity just this second 3:50am

I also have a driftwood hide in the middle (Humid Hide) that I sprayed down before I out it back in, that is the only thing I will remove and spray in the morning when I get up !!

The repti bark really makes a difference




The other thing that saved me from my humidity issues were getting a night heat bulb !!