Shedding questions...

Hello!!

I have read the care sheets and skimmed through the previous forum posts, and I am still haveing a few questions/concerns about shedding.

Now, my pythom has completly shedded. I went out sat night, and when I came back top look at the snake, the shedding already took place. I was aware that he was going to shed, I didn't think he was going to so quiickly. I did find answers to some questions, and for the next shed I will be a little more prepared. ( I didn't know the eyes lost their bluish haze before they shedded)

My question is that the shedded skin was not all in one piece. It had broken into some long strips, and a few smaller pieces. Is that ok? My humidity was up, but I did not soak him yet ( was going to, but he shedded b4 I got a chance too, perhaps next time i need to start the baths sooner!)
I also checked his eyes, and I dont think I saw any caps left on them... but I am not sure... can anyone explain what the cap would look like? is it obvious if the cap is still on the eyes, or do you really REALLY have to look for it?

Almost all the skin came off of damien ( I checked his tail too) but there was a few tiny flakes still left on his face. I figured it was best to let the snake take care of the flakes on his face... they werent near his eyes, nose or mouth. ( plus my snake, like most others i read, doesn't like his face touched) Was that a good decision I made to not try to remove them?

Also, how long should you go without handling him after the shed? I did pick him up only to transport him to another cage because i had to clean up the skin and the present he left more me. I don't think a snake is as sensitive after the shed as a tarantula, but I just want to know if I did a major no-no by just picked up the snake carefully and moving him. I didn't play with him or anything.

Another question. His feeding scedule is tuesdays... and right now he is still on live mice (trying to switch him to f/t or at least prekilled) How long should I wait after a shed to offer the snake some food? Especially since he may not accept dead food, only live food. He shed either sat night or sunday morning, so oit will be 2 days when I planned on feeding him.

this has nothing to do with my original question, but i'll just piggyback it on here. How long can you hold your python ( when he's not shedding or just ate that is) I can hold him all day, but I am sure there is a certian limit one should hold their snake for before they get ancy or agrivated.

Annyways, thanx a bunch in advance!!

edf

Well, if you upped your humidity correctly and had it around 80% during the shed period, the shed is probably fine. It's not always necessary to bath your snake during shed. It may help, but its not necessary. Just providing the right humidity levels can give you a perfect 1 piece shed. I found that out with my bp's last shed. :)

As for the pieces that are still on, they should be fine to leave on. The only time it's a cause for concern is if the left over skin fully encircles the body, where it could restrict blood flow and cause some trouble that way, or if it's blocking the snakes cloaca. Other than that, I'm sure the snake will work it out on its own. Sometimes the skin will stay on until next shed.

As for eyecaps, when an eye cap remains after a shed, I think it's easily noticable. A clean and healthy eye will look like a black marble. I haven't ever seen an eyecap that was still intact after a shed, but I think I've heard it described as looking more silvery or something. But yeah, healthy clean eyes = black marbles. :)

Now, as for handling, I don't worry about waiting after a shed or anything. Everytime my snake sheds, I hold her right after. In fact, last shed a week or two ago, I got to watch Pelota shed, then as she finished, I picked her up to hold her for a bit. She seemed to enjoy it. Must've felt better after shedding that nasty skin. ;) If your snake felt discomfort while being held, it'll most likely show it. :)

As for feeding after a shed, I feed my bp the same night she sheds. In fact, she seems to shed on schedule everytime. She starts on fridays, and sheds by the next friday, which is feeding night. With the last shed, I fed Pelota a nice f/t large adult mouse only 30 minutes after she shed. I'm sure it's fine to feed anytime after a shed. I don't think you have to worry about them being sensitive or anything.

Finally, as for your last question, I hold Pelota for different times each handling session. I just pay attention to her actions and know when she's had enough. She's been real good with handling though. When I first got her, I held her for a few minutes after taking her from her shipping box to her cage, and she was fine. Then 2 days later I held her for 10-15 minutes. Then the next day I fed her a f/t small mouse, and she took it with ease. Ever since then, I've had no problems with holding her. I just watch her body signals for stress or frustration. Usually I'll know to put her back when she starts squirming and not complying well. She'll seem to tense up, and get squirmy and stuff like that. With all that said, the handling sessions vary from 10 minutes to an hour some times. Tonight I held her for about 15 minutes. And last thursday I had her out for about an hour and a half. It depends on her moods. ;)

If your snakes previous owner did not give it the correct humidity levels, you will probably see another bad shed or two. Even if you have your humidity on the dot, it will take it a few sheds to get things right again.

If there is a significant amount of shed left, or there is shed left in places that will restrict your snake or its bloodflow (ie tip of tail), you should help him remove it. If there is just a little shed left, and it is not in a detrimental location, it is fine to leave it.

If you decide to help your snake shed, first try placing him in a pillow case with a damp towel. He will move around and somtimes rub the remaining shed off himself.

If that doesnt work, I like to soak them in a tub (water temp of about 80 ((which will feel like luke warm water to you)) for about half an hour, then very gently rub the remaining shed off. It is important that you dont force anything. If you do, you will likely pull off some of his new scales as well.

Thankx both for your replies! I did just check his eyes, no signs of caps!

I may do the pillow trick. No skin is left in any awkward places like the tail or by his mouth, the skin just bothers me to look at.

thanx a bunch for sharing your knoweledge! Much appreciated!

edf

good luck!
sounds like your snake has a good owner :mrgreen: