Retained Eye Cap

My Ball Python shed in one big piece except for one eye cap. It's still on his eye and he seems to be unable to see on that side. I know it's only 2 days after but when should I worry and what should I do if he still retains it for x days? The shed around the eye cap is a bit off although is still on him around the perimeter of his eye.

Bit freaky to see how blind a snake is when it is in blue btw heheh

Not fun for snakes either. :rolleyes:

NOW is when you worry, or rather, when you DO something about it. The sooner the better after a snake sheds...retained shed or eye caps only get harder to get off.

Mist him & be sure his humidity is up; then gently encourage him to tunnel thru a damp towel while holding him, so that the towel makes contact with any remaining
stuck shed or eye caps. Check & repeat as necessary until it's all off. If you've allowed too much time to elapse, a shallow soak may be needed first...best avoided.

Not to hijack the thread but I may have a small piece of skin on top of my Boas head that didn’t come off during the last shed (1-2 months ago). Sometimes it looks like it might be there and other times it looks fine. Regardless, if it is skin, is it likely it will come off during the next shed?

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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

Not to hijack the thread but I may have a small piece of skin on top of my Boas head that didn’t come off during the last shed (1-2 months ago). Sometimes it looks like it might be there and other times it looks fine. Regardless, if it is skin, is it likely it will come off during the next shed?

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Probably, but personally I'd not leave it there until then.

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If you've allowed too much time to elapse, a shallow soak may be needed first...best avoided.

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Are you saying a soak should be avoided? Why would that be?

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Originally Posted by wnateg

Are you saying a soak should be avoided? Why would that be?

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Best avoid waiting that long in the first place, to where you need to soak the snake. I'm not part of the "anti-snake-soaking coalition", if that's what you're asking? :D

Done correctly, a soak isn't a big deal for a snake, but some accept it easier than others, & possibly because keepers don't all do it the right way either. Water should be
luke-warm (about 85* & feel a bit cool to us, since we're 98.6*, & water that feels "warm" to us is going to be too HOT to a snake), shallow (not higher than the snake's
body...they are NOT supposed to be swimming to stay afloat), & some traction helps a great deal- one reason snakes freak out in tubs is that there's no traction for them
to grip onto...so put a towel in the water first. And never leave them alone while soaking...escapes happen.

A good alternative to a soak is a humid hide, either in the cage full-time, or just as needed, like maybe in lieu of a soak. Use damp towels or soaked/drained moss...etc.

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Originally Posted by JulieWorrisome

My Ball Python shed in one big piece except for one eye cap. It's still on his eye and he seems to be unable to see on that side. I know it's only 2 days after but when should I worry and what should I do if he still retains it for x days? The shed around the eye cap is a bit off although is still on him around the perimeter of his eye.

Bit freaky to see how blind a snake is when it is in blue btw heheh

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I haven’t time to read through all the replies so someone may have suggested this ...

I’d get a very wet /damp rough textured towel ( warm water -not cold or hot ) .. then wrap the snake up ,have it on your lap and let the snake slither around in it as long as possible... whenever it’s head pops out simply cover it up again ..

Anyways whilst it’s slithering around you can apply very , very GENTLE pressure to it’s head region and the retailed eyecap / eyecaps will normally just come off onto the towel.


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