Shedding aid?

I saw something in the pet store that claimed to be a reptile shedding aid. Has anyone ever used it and to what effects? I have a problem BP shedder that has a good shed usually, but if I can make it easier for him I will.

And another question...whats a rheostat lol stupid I know, but I might as well ask it.

I think the shedding aid is just a way to suck more money from your wallet. Soaking and misting are easy and much cheaper, but if you want to try it I doubt it could hurt! As for the rheostat, I believe that's kinda like a dimmer for adjusting temps on UTHs. Don't feel stupid....ask away! It's better than feeling dumb for not knowing! ;)

I don't have a rhenostat yet but I think you set them for an acceptable temp range and they automatically adjust your heat source appropriately to stay in that range.

As far as the shedding help stuff I think it's probably safe but personally I wouldn't waste my cash on it when good husbandry (proper humidity, misting if needed) would do the same job and costs nothing but your time. Maybe it is required in some circumstances for snakes that just can't shed right now matter what, not sure on that?


~~Jo~~

Acutally I have used it. It's been sitting around on the shelf since about a week after I got it, way back in the early days of getting my first snake. It's a waste of money, but it does seem to work.

It's late, so I may not be thinking correctly, but if the ambient temperature continues to rise, the rhoestat will maintin the heating element (pad, lights, etc.) at the appriopriate range, but with the ambient air it may still get too hot for your reptile. Thermostats are much safer, although a more expensive.

I've found a damp towel or wasch cloth works best and just hold your snake in it and it move around through it. Or you can gently use it to rub any stuck pieces off.

I usually mist the cage when the snake starts showing signs of going into shed (blue eyes, pinkish belly.) Then I put a towl over the screen to hold the humidity in better. Screen lids are a murderer of humidity!

Argh. Yes screen lids are such a pain. I also have a screen lid and I use two layers of damp paper towels covered by a plastic rubbermaid container lid to cover half the screen lid. That holds my humidity at 70%.

Just make sure you keep on your toes - placing a damp anything (porous like cloth paper towels etc) on the lid provides an excellent place for mold and mildew to get going. I know you guys already knew that - no offense :P

i got a shedding aid because i thought my snakes eycaps were stuck on(turns out it was just me as a beginner being paranoid). but anyway i found that they dont work at all dont get one. better off just misting there cage.