Using tape to remove patches of dead skin...

I was told this little trick by a breeder at the hamburg show... he said as long as it doesn't show that its disturbing the snake, and you moisturize afterwards (seems unncessary) that its ok... and go in the direction with the scales not against.......
....and I used it to get unshedded skin off for my girl and she seems to almost like it.. Some things I do seem to bother her but this isn't one of them... she is calm moves fluidly with / against my hands/arms when i do it without disturbance.....

wondering if anyone had thoughts on this... please dont say "thats bad" without some factual support.

I am just curious as to why you wouldn't just soak your snake to get the stuck shed off and felt the need to use tape instead?

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Originally Posted by Boanerges

I am just curious as to why you wouldn't just soak your snake to get the stuck shed off and felt the need to use tape instead?

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I'm wondering the same?

Personally speaking tape and snakes don't mix well. I would think that it might leave some irritants behind and perhaps toxins for the snake. Also you should not use moisturizer on snakes either as it can mess with their natural oils. The safest way to get shed off is to merely soak them. I also put a wet washcloth in the tank when I know they are going into shed they seem to like to rub on it. So far I have only had 1 shed that was not in one complete piece...but it was all off.

There are way too many other choices than using tape. I personally would never recommend this method. Soaking the snake in a tub or sink. Placing the snake into a pillow case with a damp wash cloth. Letting it stay there until the next shed. Too many other options that are much safer.

Just my opinion,
Jim Smith

If my snakes don't shed in one piece, which has only happened once since switching to tubs, I just hold the skin and let them crawl out of it. From some threads on here I've learned that snakes and tape DO NOT mix well.

I onlydone this with the clear tape but only if i know it the only to get skin loosen up if there retain eye capes and such then i only try it if the wet rag and such don't work first so it not used often.( as the taper prefered to tryingot find somethingi I could use to pop it off the spot since they do tend to try and jerk away) but I not had to use tape but once for a snake that had mutli layers of shed stuck on. then I only need ot to use it ot get the first layer to pop asthe rest peeled with the outer most.
I know tape can remove the entire surface of a scale s oi t not really wise to use unless got a lot of xp with snakes.

I have great luck wit hthe wet rag for the most part. andwith winter here I know i get dry air since the heat is all electric.

Yeah, I think I'd rather soak and peel by hand, because a lot of adhesives are potentially toxic. But I agree about them liking it: the one time they all really seem to DIG handling is when I'm helping them get rid of some stuck shed. (As long as it isn't stuck around their face or neck.)

Reasons why tape and snakes should never mix:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ht=injury+tape

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ht=injury+tape

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ht=injury+tape

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ht=injury+tape

Stick with soaking and damp washcloths ;)

I've removed eyecaps with tape, but very gently, and only after ample soaking first. Had to do to a rescue.