Using tape to remove patches of dead skin...

I was told this little trick by a breeder at the hamburg show... he said as long as it doesn't show that its disturbing the snake, and you moisturize afterwards (seems unncessary) that its ok... and go in the direction with the scales not against.......
....and I used it to get unshedded skin off for my girl and she seems to almost like it.. Some things I do seem to bother her but this isn't one of them... she is calm moves fluidly with / against my hands/arms when i do it without disturbance.....

wondering if anyone had thoughts on this... please dont say "thats bad" without some factual support.

I am just curious as to why you wouldn't just soak your snake to get the stuck shed off and felt the need to use tape instead?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boanerges

I am just curious as to why you wouldn't just soak your snake to get the stuck shed off and felt the need to use tape instead?

---

I'm wondering the same?

Personally speaking tape and snakes don't mix well. I would think that it might leave some irritants behind and perhaps toxins for the snake. Also you should not use moisturizer on snakes either as it can mess with their natural oils. The safest way to get shed off is to merely soak them. I also put a wet washcloth in the tank when I know they are going into shed they seem to like to rub on it. So far I have only had 1 shed that was not in one complete piece...but it was all off.

There are way too many other choices than using tape. I personally would never recommend this method. Soaking the snake in a tub or sink. Placing the snake into a pillow case with a damp wash cloth. Letting it stay there until the next shed. Too many other options that are much safer.

Just my opinion,
Jim Smith

If my snakes don't shed in one piece, which has only happened once since switching to tubs, I just hold the skin and let them crawl out of it. From some threads on here I've learned that snakes and tape DO NOT mix well.

I onlydone this with the clear tape but only if i know it the only to get skin loosen up if there retain eye capes and such then i only try it if the wet rag and such don't work first so it not used often.( as the taper prefered to tryingot find somethingi I could use to pop it off the spot since they do tend to try and jerk away) but I not had to use tape but once for a snake that had mutli layers of shed stuck on. then I only need ot to use it ot get the first layer to pop asthe rest peeled with the outer most.
I know tape can remove the entire surface of a scale s oi t not really wise to use unless got a lot of xp with snakes.

I have great luck wit hthe wet rag for the most part. andwith winter here I know i get dry air since the heat is all electric.

Yeah, I think I'd rather soak and peel by hand, because a lot of adhesives are potentially toxic. But I agree about them liking it: the one time they all really seem to DIG handling is when I'm helping them get rid of some stuck shed. (As long as it isn't stuck around their face or neck.)

Reasons why tape and snakes should never mix:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ht=injury+tape

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ht=injury+tape

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ht=injury+tape

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ht=injury+tape

Stick with soaking and damp washcloths ;)

I've removed eyecaps with tape, but very gently, and only after ample soaking first. Had to do to a rescue.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

I've removed eyecaps with tape, but very gently, and only after ample soaking first. Had to do to a rescue.

---

I just saw an episode of SnakeBytes that recommends using the rubber thumbs you can get from Office Depot, has anyone tried those?

Latex gloves can be used to remove stuck on sheds, and can also be used to remove retained eye caps. Like you said, proper soaking is the key.

Jim Smith

ya know...we once had one stuck eye cap. No clue how it happened ...but it did. I put the snake in the water and she went ahead and dunked her own head in the water. They know what they need sometimes. Again we then put the wash cloth in the bin and made it about 100% humid and the next day.....no eyecap and all was well. I just like sticking with traditional methods as it has worked for me thus far. But I have to add to that we really haven't had any serious issues.

I don't do it regularly... and by moisturize i meant just water.... I used it to get eye caps off because they retained after 2 sheds... I was just curious what you thought... I just went out and bought a big critter keeper so I can do the water/towel method....

my snake mainly has a problem with getting random pieces off... he never does it one peice, its always messy and scattered... will the soaking method work for tid bits in random spots?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by neur0tix

I don't do it regularly... and by moisturize i meant just water.... I used it to get eye caps off because they retained after 2 sheds... I was just curious what you thought... I just went out and bought a big critter keeper so I can do the water/towel method....

my snake mainly has a problem with getting random pieces off... he never does it one peice, its always messy and scattered... will the soaking method work for tid bits in random spots?

---

Soaking method will work with any stuck shed including random pieces. If you always have shedding issues then your humidity is off. Once you see their eyes go from blue to normal again you can spray down the tank with water or tip the water bowel and you should get a perfect shed.

WOW... I feel stupid for even thinking about tape... I put her in a critter keeper for a hour with half a inch of luke warm water, and a wet towel... took her out, flawless. had to rub some stuff off but for most part she did it herself


Before...
http://neur0.net/kalmah/badshed4.JPG

After...
http://neur0.net/kalmah/IMG_0151.JPG


<3 <3 thx guyZ... I have the humitity better now, staying at 50-60 throughout day with saran wrap and a towel over top...

Uhg... cant really tell how bad her shed was from that pic... i just was so happy i felt like posting a pic lol :p

she is sexy lookin now... even got rid of this patch of dry skin on her head that was startin to worry me...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by neur0tix

WOW... I feel stupid for even thinking about tape... I put her in a critter keeper for a hour with half a inch of luke warm water, and a wet towel... took her out, flawless. had to rub some stuff off but for most part she did it herself


..

---

Never feel stupid....I can tell you I had some weird ideas/freak outs when I got my first snake....even after doing research.. I once was so freaked out calling every store in town as I thought the dead mouse was stuck in her throat and she was going to die...:rofl:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BPelizabeth

Never feel stupid....I can tell you I had some weird ideas/freak outs when I got my first snake....even after doing research.. I once was so freaked out calling every store in town as I thought the dead mouse was stuck in her throat and she was going to die...:rofl:

---

aw heheh whyd you think that? was she not makin progress?