Helping to shed

Also: if our snakes learn to relax & trust our handling during a shed, it may have positive carry-over when you have to take them to the vet, or medicate
them at home, for example. I guess it comes down to whether you enjoy having a pet that you can interact with on some level, or if you just enjoy keeping
wild animals in a cage at arms length? If you don't interact, how can you expect them to learn? Personally, I'd rather prevent bites.

Stress affects not only our immune systems but theirs too: if our snakes are living in unnatural conditions (in captivity!) with us lurking around (as possible
predators?), don't you think it might be better if we find ways to show them they are safe with us? I do, & I believe it pays off.

(I'm NOT saying that I intervene with every snake that's about to shed: I'm busy, so it doesn't happen often. I'm just answering the question of "why" we
might want to do this at all...just to be clear?)

My older ball python has occasional bad patchy sheds. Usually I'll give him a couple days to see if he can get it off himself. If not, I'll give him a half hour soak in luke warm water, under supervision, in a small tub in his enclosure. Then I'll gently remove the now very loose skin. I've had him for 24 years and handle him regularly so it's relatively stress free for him. That being said I only do it with particularly stubborn sheds. Otherwise I let him take care of it

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Yeah, I just don't see why you would need or want to help a healthy animal that sheds well on its own.

Proper husbandry equals proper shed. I've never had anything but complete sheds with any of my snakes. Even years ago when my husbandry was sub par compared to today, my snakes always shed completely and only my BP had a few that weren't one piece sheds.

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As I said, it would be a cool experience to do that. Both of my snakes are very much healthy and shed perfectly on their own.


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I agree with craigafrechette.
I don't see any reason to helping your snake shed if they shed just fine. Trust me, getting off a BP's shed off is not exactly fun, especially when it's on their head :no: (I'm not saying it's bad that you want to learn how it's like when a snake has a bad shed, wanting to learn is a wonderful thing.) If they shed fine and your husbandry is fine, I would just keep it that way. :)

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

As a means of building trust...the same reason we hold our pets at all? They are essentially wild animals who rely on instincts, but they certainly do learn
that they are safe with us. I say this as one who interacts with the public with my snakes for educational purposes, & as one who has never had a snake
bite or act badly during any such program or "meet & greet". In my experience, the trust my snakes seem to feel when handled apparently carries over
to total strangers, which is exactly what I want & what they need: good public relations

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Also: if our snakes learn to relax & trust our handling during a shed, it may have positive carry-over when you have to take them to the vet, or medicate
them at home, for example. I guess it comes down to whether you enjoy having a pet that you can interact with on some level, or if you just enjoy keeping
wild animals in a cage at arms length? If you don't interact, how can you expect them to learn? Personally, I'd rather prevent bites.

Stress affects not only our immune systems but theirs too: if our snakes are living in unnatural conditions (in captivity!) with us lurking around (as possible
predators?), don't you think it might be better if we find ways to show them they are safe with us? I do, & I believe it pays off.

(I'm NOT saying that I intervene with every snake that's about to shed: I'm busy, so it doesn't happen often. I'm just answering the question of "why" we
might want to do this at all...just to be clear?)

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Interesting...
I don't know I agree though. I handle each of my snakes at least 3 days a week, trust has been built, and I've never assisted with a shed. My snakes are pets. They have also been handled by other people, some of which had never touched a snake prior. None of my snakes have ever struck at or acted aggressively towrds a stranger, family member, first timer or anybody but me and my girlfriend (both times were our fault, we spooked my King).

I handle at least two of my snakes each day. My animals aren't display animals nor kept at arms length. I interact with them all, pretty much daily. I show my animals they are safe and none are aggressive, all handle extremely well....all without ever assisting a shed.

I prefer not to be bitten as well, but fail to see how assisting with sheds prevents bites.
I guess I still don't see the benefit if the animal is healthy and shedding on its own.