First shed nerves

[Arcticae]

So Smaug has just started shedding, I had no idea he was going to because I didn't see any signs- no pink belly, not noticeably faded, no blue eyes! To be fair I've only had him a little over a week. I didn't handle and he hid for most of it, as BPs do, so I could easily have missed it.

Part of me is worried he might be a little dehydrated (he looks quite wrinkly, but he didn't on Thursday when he was last out and about) and wants to give him a soak, but he ate at 2.30am Friday morning- less than 48 hours ago (I'm surprised, got the impression that shedding snakes are not good feeders) so I don't want to stress him out either. He has a big water bowl in there but I've never actually seen him drink- he probably does it when I sleep.

I've popped a damp towel in to boost the humidity a bit more- it's been between 50-60 up until now but I read you should increase around shedding. Probably too little too late but I had no idea he was going to do it so there we are.

He's on orchid bark and has lots of nice rough surfaces in there to rub on- looks like he's already had a go since his nose is peeling.

Anything else I can do besides watch and wait? Anxious new snake parent, I just want to get this right so he can get it all off. XD

[Zincubus]

The best way I've found to guarantee a good shed is to keep the humidity as high as you can then wait till the time their eyes clear up and they get their colouration back then its between 2 and 7 days after that they actually lose the skin SO wait till their eyes clear and simply spray the viv a few times throughout the day , each day until you find the scrupled up skin in a corner one day.


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[Neal]

When I notice anything going into shed I just up the humidity by misting. I wouldn't overdo depending on what substrate you use, but you're fine. Another thing you can do is put some sphagnum moss under a hide.

[Arcticae]

Good plan, I'm heading out later so I'll see if I can get some moss at the local pet shop. Might get a hide with a base too (they had some small animal igloos I thought looked suitable last time I nipped in) and designate it the humid hide.

[Arcticae]

Well when I got home with the new hide and sphagnum he had stripped off a couple of small bits, definitely looking like a bad shed. I've put the damp hide in and he's inside it, so I'll give him til tomorrow and then I guess it's snake bathtime.

[Mike17]

I've only had one shed with mine, and she had been just a week with me when it happened...

I set wrong and the system that spays her enclosure sprayed a little too much, it got swampy in there and had to toss everything out and change all the substrate and dry everything, but on the bright side she shed just overnight in one piece. Sooo... in my experience don't be shy with water and everything should be alright. Good luck!


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[audioclass]

If he's wrinkled, like REALLY wrinkled to where it is bunching up when he curls up, and he has only gotten a few pieces off his nose, its probably full-body stuck shed. I've been through this with a new snake. And since you've only had the snake a week its probably not your fault, so don't beat yourself up. If he was dehydrated when you got him a week is a short time to overcome that prior to a shed. I would however, stay on top of misting the cage today and see how he looks tomorrow. Either way if it is already coming off in pieces, he probably won't get it all off himself and you should check out this thread: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...hed-No-problem

[Zincubus]

Yep , that's a good link .. Great way of sorting out a dodgy shed AND will make a huge difference if the snake is partly or seriously dehydrated ( any snake not this one in particular ) .


One of the important parts of the process described in the link mentioned wiping it over with a wet hand cloth but I've had great success with dampened , rough textured bath towel . So after the soak , ideally with the container in it's Viv / rub so the water doesn't get cold .... Anyways have the wet , rough textured bath towel and you wrap the snake up in the towel and let the snake continually slither through the towel for a while , applying very gentle pressure with your hands ... if it's head pops out then gently cover it up and continue to let it slither ...

Generally all the shed skin comes off on the towel but it's a gentle way of doing it . I'm not a fan of the peeling off with your fingers method at all ..

[Arcticae]

He is really wrinkly I think I will go ahead with that then. I'll give him until before I go to bed so he can digest that rat pup properly then I'll go for it.

[Zincubus]

As long as you give him near enough time to digest .... 48 hours seems be the going rate as you mentioned .