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Stuck Shed - New Adult

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  • 06-21-2017, 07:39 AM
    0klahoma
    Stuck Shed - New Adult
    I purchased a 6yr old BP from a show on Sunday and he was in shed. He started to shed Monday and I soaked for 30 min yesterday to help aid the process (majority of the shed is stuck). My effort was unsuccessful in removing the majority of the shed (didn't want to soak longer for fear of additional stress since he is acclimating to his new home). However, should I resoak him again today for longer, then remove the remaining shed (rewetting as needed with damp paper towel)? I have other younger ball pythons, so this is my first adult, but don't want to freak him out too much with so much change and stress at once.

    As a side note, I don't typically struggle with humidity as I keep my snake in a rack setup, with damp sphagnum moss and a large bowl.

    Thank you!
  • 06-21-2017, 07:46 AM
    Bcycling
    Eye caps
    Are the eye caps off? What is the himidity in the enclosure?
  • 06-21-2017, 08:07 AM
    0klahoma
    Re: Stuck Shed - New Adult
    His head look pretty clear (including eyecaps). The majority of the shed is shed is the 3/4 lower body portion. His humidity is great (I haven't measured the exact percent, but enough to fog his tub). He is in a new rack setup that I purchased with him. I am comfortable with the removal of the shed, just still relatively new to BP care and don't want to overstress him unnecessarily. Is it okay to soak him 2 days in a row?
  • 06-21-2017, 08:11 AM
    Bcycling
    I wouldn't
    I hate soaking them. To stressful for them. I would just keep himidity up and leave him be. He should get it off. Although I have one female that I needed to soak twice. I think she was just lazy. Lol
  • 06-21-2017, 08:38 AM
    0klahoma
    Re: Stuck Shed - New Adult
    Yea, I personally don't like to soak either, but don't want him to have his shed stuck for an extended period of time. I put additional moss in there and a couple small cork board pieces to rub against, so hoping that he can do it himself.
  • 06-21-2017, 08:52 AM
    bcr229
    Since his head/eyecaps are clear I would just make sure that his tail tip is also clean, as stuck shed there can eventually constrict, cut off the blood flow, and cause his tail to get infected. Otherwise just leave him alone and keep his humidity up.
  • 06-21-2017, 09:36 AM
    CALM Pythons
    Re: Stuck Shed - New Adult
    I agree your BP needs to get use to his new home so added stress wouldn't be good right now, but people who say soaking causes stress are talking smack. Yes BP's are a nervous snake compared to a Burm or Retic but there is no proof soaking them stresses them out. I wish people would stick to what can be proven instead of spreading their opinion like its Gospel.
    Like BCR229 says check the tail. I had that problem 17 years ago and he lost the tip.
    Congrats on the new edition.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  • 06-21-2017, 10:05 AM
    0klahoma
    Thank you all! I am new to this forum, but have a growing interest in Ball Python care and development (likely to begin breeding at some point in the future after gaining more knowledge). I appreciate the support and quick responses!
  • 06-21-2017, 11:28 AM
    Bcycling
    Evidence enough for me
    You can believe that soaking doesn't cause stress. No skin off my back, but the issue here is its a new snake and a new environment which. Is hard enough on the snake more times than not. Then to through it in a tub of water, I think that is going to cause issues. Plus the fact that the few times I have had to do it they seem to musk and pee everywhere is proof enough for me to do all I can to avoid that. If I have stuck shed now I do the damp pillow case method as they have something to rub on with a towel in with them and they don't pee everywhere
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