Bad shed...a little advice needed

So my Normal shed just fine...came off in one piece. My female Spider on the other hand (she's in QT in a smaller tank as I just got her about a month ago), didn't shed so well. I did my utmost to keep her humidity up (~70%) during shed, but it was just a bad shed. I gave her a few days and more humidity to see if she could get the rest off herself and she could not. It was like her shed split right down the middle (horizontally) and while she was able to get the shed off naturally from her belly and half way up, her upper portion just wasn't coming off.So I soaked her for about 20 minutes in warm water and gently assisted in getting the rest off her body with a warm, wet soft wash cloth. She was a champ...except for her head...

Her eyes still have gogs and from her snout back to the base of her skull there is still shed. I had to stop assisting as she is VERY head shy. I am keeping her humidity up (~70%) and have noticed her rubbing her snout and the sides of her head on her hide and substrate trying to get that last piece off.

I don't feel good about keeping the humidity too high for fear of mold and other things. Is it safe to continue to let her get this off on her own? Should I just wait until next shed cycle or should I just dive in and do my best to get her gogs and head shed off?

My thanks ahead of time...

The eye caps you don't have to worry about for now, they usually come off with the next shed. Removing eye caps is dangerous, and should be done by someone with lots of experience, or by a good vet. Make sure she has rough surfaces to rub against in her enclosure, too.

sterilite tub with lid
1 to 2 inches of 88 degree water
hand towel for the snake to rub against
30 minute soak and replenish with more 88 degree water for another 30 minute soak.

By then all shed should be off and if the eye caps aren't off a damp cloth rubbing from head towards the tail should have them sliding right off.
If not, leave them be for the next shed period.

Without fixing the tank to hold humidity better the snake will just repeat the process over and over.

Yes, I do need to get a different quarantine tank...over all though, temps and humidity haven't been real bad, just haven't been able to get past 75%. I'll try soaking her longer. I did have a wash cloth in the enclosed tub to rub on but she just sits there...lol!

If after the hour of soaking it's not falling off or can't easily be assisted, I'll let her wait until next shed to finish the job. I'll have a better tank for her before then...

THANKS!

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Originally Posted by ballophile

Yes, I do need to get a different quarantine tank...over all though, temps and humidity haven't been real bad, just haven't been able to get past 75%. I'll try soaking her longer. I did have a wash cloth in the enclosed tub to rub on but she just sits there...lol!

If after the hour of soaking it's not falling off or can't easily be assisted, I'll let her wait until next shed to finish the job. I'll have a better tank for her before then...

THANKS!

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You might want to double check your hygrometer. She shouldn't have had a poor shed at 75%, so it's very likely that it's reading incorrectly. What brand and dial or digital?

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

You might want to double check your hygrometer. She shouldn't have had a poor shed at 75%, so it's very likely that it's reading incorrectly. What brand and dial or digital?

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Brand new accurite. Probe on the warm end, unit about snake's level on cool end.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ballophile

Brand new accurite. Probe on the warm end, unit about snake's level on cool end.

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Hmmm...strange. Maybe try a humid hide for the next shed cycle so there is a consistent high-humidity spot for your BP.

I am sure it is my QT tank. Last female Spider the breeder had so I had to use what I had. T-8 is being ordered next week so should be good.


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I've gone through the same thing a few times now. I'll give him a good soak, then gently rub the head from neck to nose, focusing on the shed edge. At first Herbie hated this motion, but after a few strokes, he totally calms. After a few minutes, it starts to come off, eyes and all. I just gently rub till it rolls off the nose. Hopefully my newly ordered cage will help.