Too Many Wrinkles Before Shed?

[danojeno]

I have read a great deal on here about the shed process and wrinkles get a brief mention, but check this out. Herbie is 130 grams and we got him three weeks ago. Eats FT hoppers regularly, including yesterday. The 20 gal glass tank has been a challenge to maintain temp and humitity...it will be scrapped early in the new year. Was 55%, which was upped to 75% yesterday. Check out this pic from five days ago, only slight wrinkle at neck:



Today, he looks like a crumpled paper bag:



I know a shed has to be coming any minute, and some flakes came off of the tail when he pooped two days ago, but the wrinkles are crazy! Are these wrinkles normal?

[BHReptiles]

That actually looks like a completely stuck shed.

Here's what I would do:

1. cover the tank lid with foil or a damp towel and mist the enclosure at least 3x daily. You want to get your humidity up above 70%

2. If he doesn't shed completely in the next day or two, you'll need to help him with his shed. Take a warm, wet wash cloth and place him on it. Wrap him up like a burrito and hold him there. Once he starts to move, apply gentle pressure as he exits the wash cloth. Some of that skin will come off. Do this until you can get the skin off. Don't worry about the skin over his eyes. If you try to mess with it, it could damage his eyes.

3. Here are a few other tricks to try if the above method doesn't work: put him in a damp pillow case (a breathable one) for about an hour, soak in in some warm water (nothing over about 90*) that comes up half his body, or put him in a tub with some damp paper towels.

Hopefully that helps a little bit.

[danojeno]

Thanks for the response and tips. I've implemented step one and will give him the weekend, then proceed with the others.

[PitOnTheProwl]

The pillow case should work for you.

[snakesRkewl]

Here's what I would do now, not later.

sterilite tub with a lid with 1 to 1 1/2 inches of 88 to 90 degree water and a hand towel in the bottom.
Let the snake soak for 30 minutes and replenish with more 88-90 degree water and soak for another 30 minutes.
Do not wait, the snake is suffering as it is, this will completely remove the shed by the second 30 minutes and if it isn't completely off it will come off very easily with some minor help.

[DooLittle]

You have gotten a couple good ideas to get the shed off. But I agree, that looks like a complete shed stuck. I would assist in getting that off ASAP.

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[nick654377]

i have a 20l with my boa and i have wet towels over 3/4 of the tank with a piece of glass over the top and where the lights are i have two towels rolled up so there is only about 5% of the screen open. my temps stay right at 90 hot side and 74 cool side with repti bark. but yes that does look like stuck shed.

[danojeno]

Thanks! I did mostly as advised, perhaps a little farther, and it went very smoothly, almost a strange bonding thing. At first he was a little jerky with his head when I caressed his neck. By the time his body was done, he was completely calm and rubbed his head on my fingers. I took that as a hint and gently rubbed the top of his head his head toward the nose. Presto! The head piece with eye caps rolled off with some gentle strokes. Amazing he let me rub his head like that. Next time I'll bump the humidity more as soon as the eyes gray over and hopefully we won't have to take a bath again. No more wrinkles:

[PitOnTheProwl]

Glad it went good.
You two are now one LOL