I think I'm Having a Shedding Issue .... Suggestions?

Hi, my BP is about 10 weeks old now. I've had him for about four weeks. It looks like he's shedding (1st time for me) but it doesn't seem to be coming off like I expected. Check out the pictures. The head shot clearly shows the color difference between the head and the rest of his body. The other shot shows how wrinkled he has become. This is his 3rd day like this. I started spraying the tank twice a day. He has a large bowl of water and the humidity (if the guage is correct) is 75%. Is this too high? Could it be causing problems? I've heard soaking can help but can I expect him to do this on his own or will I have to "give him a bath" myself? He seems very healthy otherwise. He's been eating well. He just devoured a rat pup this past Saturday. The 117g on the scale is 10g heavier than he was last week.

Any suggestions are most welcome.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...8/hpim2063.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...8/hpim2068.jpg

Try placing him in a moist pillow case tie a knot and place on heat in your cage... Leave him in there about an hour, all the skin should be in the bag...

I do humid soaks for that.
Sterilite tub with lid, one inch to 1 1/2 inches of 85 degree water with a towel/pillow case at bottom.
Let snake soak for 30 minutes, replace water let soak again for 30-40 minutes.
Shed will either be off or slide right off.

Your humidity gauge is lying, 75% humidity will give you perfect slippery sheds, not dry stuck on sheds like this :)

Try adding a humid hide and keep it damp, it will help your snake during it's next shed.

Thanks a lot folks. Now I've got a couple of things I can try when I get home. I hate not knowing what to do. I guess I have a lot to learn before I drop my job to become a full-time breeder.;)

Just kidding.... no career changes in the works .... yet!:)

Your set looks a little on the dry side for a complete shed. Next time you
see the sheding process is starting get a container with moss and keep it moist and warm the next shed will be perfect.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Drago

Next time you
see the shedding process is starting get a container with moss and keep it moist and warm the next shed will be perfect.

---

It's called a humid hide ;)

[QUOTE=Herp_Herp_hooray;1186260]Try placing him in a moist pillow case tie a knot and place on heat in your cage... Leave him in there about an hour, all the skin should be in the bag...[/QUOTE

If you are going to try the pillowcase, make sure it is a LOW thread count so air can get through the pillowcase.

You only need leave the snake in there for 10-15 minutes.

The snake should be in front of you the whole time. Do not take your eyes of the snake or leave the snake alone for any reason. Better to be safe then sorry.


OP: Get rid of that gauge and get an accurate digital hygrometer. The humidity probably isn't that high if the snake had a bad shed.

If you are using lamps, this is probably your problem.

[QUOTE=Kaorte;1186404]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Herp_Herp_hooray

Try placing him in a moist pillow case tie a knot and place on heat in your cage... Leave him in there about an hour, all the skin should be in the bag...[/QUOTE

If you are going to try the pillowcase, make sure it is a LOW thread count so air can get through the pillowcase.

You only need leave the snake in there for 10-15 minutes.

The snake should be in front of you the whole time. Do not take your eyes of the snake or leave the snake alone for any reason. Better to be safe then sorry.


OP: Get rid of that gauge and get an accurate digital hygrometer. The humidity probably isn't that high if the snake had a bad shed.

If you are using lamps, this is probably your problem.

---

Or, put it in a plastic container, ventilated, with water that comes half way up the snakes body, place back in the cage, and wait a bit. The skin will loosen and either come off as the snake crawls or when you take the snake out.

Unless your snake is unhealthy or retarded, constant watching is not necessary.

[QUOTE=wilomn;1186416]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kaorte

Or, put it in a plastic container, ventilated, with water that comes half way up the snakes body, place back in the cage, and wait a bit.
Unless your snake is unhealthy or retarded, constant watching is not necessary.

---

This is why a towel or pillow case in the tub " just in case " :P

I had a baby go through some shedding problems, he wouldnt try to get it off! had to soak him in warm water with a towel for about an hour and message it off. Just make sure your not peeling it so hard that you damage the scales. Once it seemed like it was hard to come off, soak him again and repeat.