Helped my snake shed

exactly the same experience here. Once or twice at the beginning, he clearly got kind of nervous and wanted to bolt, but I gently redirected him back to his little shedding zone. Then, he settled down and the rest went smoothly. He got busy doing his thing trying to get his nose started while curling around the repti-carpet. As he went around in it I just sort of grabbed the skin to give it a good anchor and let him do most of the work. Once it was all done, he was totally relaxed.

dr del: I didn't need to use water. I found the skin to be quite moist underneath. There was clearly a layer of fluid between the old and new skin. It doesn't surprise me that your boy has some fluid pockets. It seems very likely that just a small bit of the old skin has separated early and some of the fluid from the surrounding area and moved there, forming a pocket.

Also, if the fluid pockets are by the nose (I can't quite pick them out), then I would also say that I doubt its a coincidence that his nose is swollen. You see, when I helped snakey shed, he repeatedly forced his nose into the repticarpet in an effort to split the skin there. His nose didn't swell, but I could clearly see some redness in his heat pits. So, perhaps your boy has a couple of spots that separate early and this sensation, in turn, causes him to prematurely start rubbing his nose to get the shed started. Because the rest of his skin isn't ready to come off, he isn't successful and ends up irritating the flesh around his nose, causing it to swell. I wonder if he isn't so frusterated by shedding time, he's given up!?!?

I helped my first ball python shed. We got her when she was a baby and she was the first snake I had handled EVER. Her first few sheds did not go very well. They came off in pieces.

To help the process I took a washcloth and soaked it in warm water. I then held her and let her climb through my hands, which had the wash cloth in them. This allowed the shed to become saturated with water as well as having it rub against the washcloth. This method worked very well.

Luckily after the first few times I have not had to help one of the snakes shed. Although for me at least it was a good experience learning to hold a snake and interact with them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bearhart

dr del: I didn't need to use water. I found the skin to be quite moist underneath. There was clearly a layer of fluid between the old and new skin. It doesn't surprise me that your boy has some fluid pockets. It seems very likely that just a small bit of the old skin has separated early and some of the fluid from the surrounding area and moved there, forming a pocket.

Also, if the fluid pockets are by the nose (I can't quite pick them out), then I would also say that I doubt its a coincidence that his nose is swollen. You see, when I helped snakey shed, he repeatedly forced his nose into the repticarpet in an effort to split the skin there. His nose didn't swell, but I could clearly see some redness in his heat pits. So, perhaps your boy has a couple of spots that separate early and this sensation, in turn, causes him to prematurely start rubbing his nose to get the shed started. Because the rest of his skin isn't ready to come off, he isn't successful and ends up irritating the flesh around his nose, causing it to swell. I wonder if he isn't so frusterated by shedding time, he's given up!?!?

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Hi,

Yup that does seem a likely cause for the pockets of fluid forming.

The pockets form around his scars which are mainly in the tail section with a few about half way up his body and have done so for years whereas the nose thing only started in may this year so I don't think they are connected (though with my luck god knows).

Not only does the goof not start rubbing his head early most of the time he doesn't do it at all.:P

I can't say I've noticed any actual fluid between the skin layers really but I will keep an eye out this shed cycle if he puts as little effort in as he usually does.:gj:


dr del