Shedding/Skin problems for my dwarf retic?

[retic720]

Hi there. Advice needed

My 3 yr old female Dwarf Retic never had problems shedding; she'd always slough off her old skin in one piece. Her last shed was roughly 3 weeks ago and she is beginning to "get darker than usual" but isn't exactly in "shed phase".

Last night however, I noticed tiny "scale flakes" on her water bowl; at first I though they were mites but when I examined further, it's indeed "scale flakes" (yes, they're THAT tiny).

I gave her a good dip in lukewarm water last night for half an hour and when I gently rubbed her continously, more of the "scale flakes" came off.

I always change her substrate when I notice she'd make a mess and I occasionally bathe her in soap (usually, the ones used for washing your face) and water as I let her crawl on my bed from time to time.

Any of you guys experienced the same?

Thanks

PS: I live in Manila, where retics are considered to be "native fauna".

[2kdime]

Id stop the soap routine, Id put money on that being a possible culprit.

[littleindiangirl]

Could very well be. Soap sucking out natural oils, especially when she is getting close to shed...

[aalomon]

My bet is on soap too. You know if you wash your hands too much they can really dry out/crack? If soap dries out skin, what its made for, it would not surprise me that it dries out scales too.

[retic720]

come to think of it....I have 4 pythons but that retic is the only one who gets a bath more than 2x a month; my rock python occasionally gets a bath if he's swimming in his water tub filled with poop (eeeew!). So far, it's only that retic who's showing this problem...doh!

Thanks guys! Guess I can't "pamper" my pythons that way.

I hope I'm not pushing it...but I guess baby shampoo is also out of the question right? hehehe...yes....that's how much I "pamper" that retic...she's the only one I allow to slither in my bed/couch/sofa...

[aalomon]

I vote for water only baths.

[retic720]

ayt. thanks. will switch that retic to "water only".

[Tempo1889]

I dont know if I am having a problem yet since my ball python hasn't shed yet but his eye's are that erie white color. My question is this I mist my cage to achieve the 60-65% humidity range that I hear is recomended however I have quite a bit of water on the bottom of my cage is that ok or should I try to soak some of it up with a towel? I want my python to have a successful shed with no blisters or injuries. I never had a snake before so I am totaly green at all this. Any advise or tips for me anyone?

[aalomon]

You do not want standing water in the bottom of the tank so its probably best to soak it up.

[Tempo1889]

We have had a few hot days here in Pa lately upper 80's so that is giving me some assistance. I put my hand in the cage when i got home from work yesterday which is where I posted this and the cage was fairly warm and damp not dripping wet and I managed to get the cage humidity at about 60-65% with more frequent and much lighter misting sessions.