Corn interrupted shed??

So of course, both my snakes decided to go into shed shortly before I went home for spring break - just my luck. Fortunately Caspie (the ball python) shed beautifully the day before I left. However, Jacob (the corn snake) went to his "dark" phase a day before I left, and the day that I left was the one I suspected that he'd shed. Into the pillowcases they went, and into my car with variable temps/humidity for 2+ hours. That was Friday, and now it's Monday night/Tuesday and still no shed. I saw two TINY bits come off his back, but that's it. He's been constantly in hiding (when he isn't in shed he is out and about a lot of the time). I'm worried because I know how to deal with stuck shed PIECES, but not entire body stuck sheds... Do you think I'm just worrying too much and that it will come off in a few more days if I'm patient? Or should I give him a long soak... would that help with a "full body" stuck shed (so to speak)?

Any advice would be appreciated. Also note that this corn normally sheds perfectly every time, so this prolonged "dark phase" period is unusual for him.

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Originally Posted by icygirl

So of course, both my snakes decided to go into shed shortly before I went home for spring break - just my luck. Fortunately Caspie (the ball python) shed beautifully the day before I left. However, Jacob (the corn snake) went to his "dark" phase a day before I left, and the day that I left was the one I suspected that he'd shed. Into the pillowcases they went, and into my car with variable temps/humidity for 2+ hours. That was Friday, and now it's Monday night/Tuesday and still no shed. I saw two TINY bits come off his back, but that's it. He's been constantly in hiding (when he isn't in shed he is out and about a lot of the time). I'm worried because I know how to deal with stuck shed PIECES, but not entire body stuck sheds... Do you think I'm just worrying too much and that it will come off in a few more days if I'm patient? Or should I give him a long soak... would that help with a "full body" stuck shed (so to speak)?

Any advice would be appreciated. Also note that this corn normally sheds perfectly every time, so this prolonged "dark phase" period is unusual for him.

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Well if he is clear eyes and ready to shed give him a little soaking and he should be able to do the rest himself ;)

It's possible those couple of pieces came off prematurely; I'd give him another day or two to do it on his own. If that doesn't work then you just use the same remedies for an entire shed that you would for a stuck piece. Just soak in warm water and gently peel away the pieces.

put him in a plastic tub with a washcloth or small towel. he should start wiggling free from his shed in about 15-20 minutes. If he doesn't get it all, just wet a cotton swab and gently rub it down his body.

I had to do this with my own corn this weekend and it worked like a charm!

Likely the transporting with the varying temps/humidity has interrupted his shedding properly. Give him a good misting and see if he can get it off himself. If not then a soak and some assistance should do the job. There is a sticky here that describes exactly how to deal with a shed gone wrong.

Thanks all - this was posted awhile back but I forgot to update it. I ended up waiting patiently and he did shed, there were a few bad spots on his back, but nothing major. Pays to wait I guess.