shedding help

i have a bp i have had it for about 3 months now. this is the first time its shedding since i have had it. and im not sure what to do. its been about a week since i started noticeing that he started getting like a shed look to him.
i try and take him out once every 3 days to soak him. but he doesnt want to stay in the water more then a min. so far it looks like its starting to compff now just on his head right now. just about over the eyes is where its at right now. not sure what else i can do to help him shed successful.

i tried taking pics but camera is not that good and he didnt like it lol. he stuck at my camera. also can anyone tell what kind of bp he is?

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/3559/1002826r.jpg

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/2638/1002828x.jpg

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/4028/1002827w.jpg

You can keep the humidity at a decently high level and leave him alone.

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Originally Posted by Zach Nasty

You can keep the humidity at a decently high level and leave him alone.

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it is and i dont mess with him except to soak him every 3 days

How high is it and what are you measuring it with? Did you start soaking him before he started actually shedding? That can actually dry out the skin if done too much and cause a bad shed like that.

Also, read this.

Hi,

Stop soaking snakes before they shed - it can actually cause a bad shed instead of helping.

If a snake has a bad shed however that is when you want to try soaking - or a damp pillowcase.

But when it is coming up to shedding just increase the humidity to 60-70% and let the snake be. :gj:


dr del

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Originally Posted by stevepoppers

How high is it and what are you measuring it with? Did you start soaking him before he started actually shedding? That can actually dry out the skin if done too much and cause a bad shed like that.

Also, read this.

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is around 74. and i use a hygrometer. i have soaked it usually every 5 days since i got it but since it started shedding i have done it every 3. i guess i will just stop soaking it.

What kind of hygrometer are you using? Those round gauge hygrometers are useless. You want something digital.

The picture looks like the snake has a completely stuck shed. I would just raise the humidity nice and high in the tank for the next few days. If he doesn't get the skin off on his own then help him out. I think a damp pillowcase might be a better bet then a soak in this case.

The shed should come off in one complete piece. If it is coming off in pieces then your humidity is too low.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

What kind of hygrometer are you using? Those round gauge hygrometers are useless. You want something digital.

The picture looks like the snake has a completely stuck shed. I would just raise the humidity nice and high in the tank for the next few days. If he doesn't get the skin off on his own then help him out. I think a damp pillowcase might be a better bet then a soak in this case.

The shed should come off in one complete piece. If it is coming off in pieces then your humidity is too low.

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yes it a round one. dont have a digi yet only have digi thermometers so far

not sure if this matters or not but i also keep it in a glass cage not a plastic tub

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stevepoppers

How high is it and what are you measuring it with? Did you start soaking him before he started actually shedding? That can actually dry out the skin if done too much and cause a bad shed like that.

Also, read this.

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i have already read that. that just show the process doesnt really give any tips or anything like that

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Originally Posted by ronniec02

not sure if this matters or not but i also keep it in a glass cage not a plastic tub

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humidity is a little trickier in a glass tank. If you haven't already, cover 3/4ths of the screen top with tin foil, foil tape, or plastic wrap. As a quick fix, you could put a damp towel over the screen.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

humidity is a little trickier in a glass tank. If you haven't already, cover 3/4ths of the screen top with tin foil, foil tape, or plastic wrap. As a quick fix, you could put a damp towel over the screen.

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yea ill try that. i keep trying to use a towel but my wife says it makes it look like crap and takes it off.

Even though she doesn't like the way it looks, it is in the snake's best interest to use something to help keep the humidity up. Also to your other question, that is a normal ball python.

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Originally Posted by ronniec02

yea ill try that. i keep trying to use a towel but my wife says it makes it look like crap and takes it off.

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You might try showing her some pictures of snakes with stuck sheds and see what she thinks is worse. The towel or a stuck shed...

yea i talked to her about it and its covered right now with a damp towel

Hi,

I think the sticky that Steve meant to link to was this one - it is the one with all the tips and hints. :D


dr del

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Originally Posted by ronniec02

not sure if this matters or not but i also keep it in a glass cage not a plastic tub

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I just went thru my first shed myself. Glass tanks are hard to keep humidity and temps regulated...When I noticed the eyes cloudy, I started to put wet towels around the top and a glass of water on each end of tank + his water bowl...I left him alone in his hide...peeking in every so often...didnt want to stress him....they cant see well.....went in last night and lifted up the hide....there he was with a full shed that was scrunched up beside him...he did the whole thing in his hide...and I never saw a thing. If it had went wrong then I would have helped...but I think just letting nature take its course is the best thing.