Then your humidity and possibly temp as well are not right. You need to monitor them and get them fixed.
06-22-2004, 09:33 AM
Stormyva
For a ball python your temps need to be in the range of 55-60% during shed time. Some thing that I found helpful during shed time was a humid hide. Get a tupperware container big enough for your snake to get into and coil up. You want it to be a snug fit so the snake feels secure. Cut a hole in the container so your snake can get in. Then put spaghum moss in the bottom of the box and pour water in the moss until it is moist. This will give your snake a nice hide, a good humid environment to help at shed time, and it will also help boost humidity in the cage.
06-22-2004, 11:09 AM
Marla
Actually, your temps need to be ~90F on the warm side and ~80F on the cool side, and your humidity needs to be at least 50% during shed time, but it's better if you can boost it to closer to 70% just for the time from the eyes going blue until the snake is done shedding. If your snake is healthy and your temps and humidity match those reasonable well, you'll almost always get complete sheds, and those that aren't will be nearly complete with a little spot at the tail or head being the only trouble.
06-22-2004, 12:37 PM
Stormyva
Ooops... see what happens when you dont proofread! I meant to type "humidty" not "temps" in that sentence. I dont know where my mind was :) Thanks for catching that Marla (At least I got the "%" on there :) )
06-22-2004, 12:49 PM
Marla
I knew what you meant and it's easy to do that when you're answering quickly. :) I was just afraid someone else might not have understood what you meant and thought it might be better to make sure.
06-23-2004, 09:08 AM
Ginevive
You HAVE to make the humidity rise in the cage before the shed even starts. This can be done by sealing off most of the screen lid with duct tape, spraying the inner side of the cage as needed, and putting wet sphagnum moss (unmilled) in the cage with your snake.
If your snake still has retained shed pieces, soak him in a few inches of warm (NOT hot) water in a lidded, escape-proof rubbermaid for an hour or so. Then gently peel the skin off using the pads of your fingers. If the eyecaps remain, I'd visit the veterinarian.
06-23-2004, 10:53 AM
green_man
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Dito!
Be careful if you soak. When Gin says warm she means warm to the SNAKE. If it is warm to YOU it is probably too hot. I like to go a hair above room temp.