Wierd Shed?

Hi All,

I've been having a problem with very high humidity lately, lol, went from too low and now to too high....

Anyway, today as I was cleaning out the tank I noticed many individual scales about the tank. I didn't notice that Spot was in shed, he didn't get dull or have a pink belly or blue eyes. He just went to the vet on Friday for a cut on one of his scales. He was healthy except for this minor wound.

So, are the evidence of scales because of the high humidity? I'm going to cut another hole in my aluminum/duct tape lid to let more air get to the tank. Do I need to soak him and take a washcloth to him to get anything else loose that he might have?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Susan

Susan it sounds like that lid may well be your problem as far as wildly fluctuating humidity issues. If possible could you post a picture of your setup?

Sure, here's a couple of pics of my set up:

[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/files/6/1/5/0/2787.JPG[/IMG]

(I just cut the opening on the lid bigger this am)
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/files/6/1/5/0/2788.JPG

Ambient tank temp and humidity
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/files/6/1/5/0/2789.JPG

Warm side temp controller and temp
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/files/6/1/5/0/2790.JPG

Cool side temp
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/files/6/1/5/0/2791.JPG

Oh, also I don't use the light anymore it was just ambient lighting but was drying things out. That's why no cut out for the light. Thanks!

Susan

Well, with cutting the additional hole, I've brought my humidity down to the mid 60's -low 70's. I took Spot out today to tend to his cut and his scales are still sloughing off individually. His eyes are clear and glossy, his belly is slightly pink like he is starting to go into shed but that's the only indication. I soaked him a little bit and took a wet washcloth to him.

So, has this happened to anyone's snakes before? What are the ramifications of him shedding individual scales prematurely instead of shedding his skin sheath like he is supposed to?

Again, thanks for your help and advice!

Susan

There's no need to soak him before a shed. It can actually make him have a worse shed because the water will leech fluids out from under the skin. Kind of like us going swimming and coming out feeling wrinkly and dehydrated.



I would bump up both temps though, 92-94 on warm side and 82-84 on cool side.

Did you spray anything on him or did he cut himself somehow? If you sprayed something on him or put mineral oil on him, sometimes they will shed individual scales. Frequent shedding back to back can be a cause for concern.

I didn't spray anything on him. He tore a couple of scales from getting stuck in our couch and I took him to the vet. They cleaned and debrided the wound....said it was minor and would heal. They gave me some chlorhexidine to clean the wound every day with and Silvadene creme to put on it. I noticed he started this individual scale shed about a day after the vet's visit.