Bad Shedding :(

:confused: My young ball python is 5 months old and started to shed about 10 days ago but only his head had shed and nothing else until yesterday...I am concerned because it is all coming off in pieces small and large, but there are still some large pieces of skin on his back that don't seem to want to come off. I don't know what I am supposed to do. I saw one person on a reptile show peel off a rat snake's dry skin but don't know if I am supposed to help him by doing that or what. Any help would be welcome! :tears:

It sounds like your husbandry may be off. What are the temps in the enclosure, humidity. Describe the setup and pictures would be helpful.

Just give him a soak for about 20 minutes in tepid water, the shed should come right off if you let him slide through a damp wash cloth.

When he starts to go in shed again try to increase the humidity.

Ok I will get some pics posted soon... the temp is about 85 and we are trying to get a new humidity gauge thermometer because we got one but it shot up to 50 then down to 20 then up to 30 and down again...we need to find a accurate one and are willing to pay more for it. I've tried to keep up the humidity (once we tried raising it, he finally started peeling, so I think that was part of the problem) by spraying with slightly warm water and putting plastic on the top to keep it in. I have a large water bowl for him to swim in and a bowl with a wet wash cloth to also help. We are going to try an idea that another snake owner said by getting a aquarium air pump with air stone and putting it in water and turn it on daily to make it humid.

Okay, please look over this caresheet http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet
The hot spot should be between 88-92, and I keep my ambient temp around 80. It may help if the hides were identical and tight fitting. I use these:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes

I have never heard of a ball python swimming, so if you are seeing him soak often I'd check for mites. Be careful the substrate doesn't get wet, damp substrate can lead to scale rot and bacteria build up inside the enclosure.

As for temp/ humidity readings you can use the accurite indoor/outdoor ones which aren't too bad for the price, a lot of people use them. Also if money isn't an issue, you can get a temp gun. My temp gun is my favorite and most used tool.
http://tempguns.com/

Also, how are you heating the enclosure? Are you using an under tank heater (UTH) or heat lights, or both??

How do I post pics? I clicked on that little button but it says to enter url?

Upload them to a hosting site like tinypic.com, then copy and paste the IMG link

Here's pics: http://tinypic.com/r/2i9o9l0/7 (hope you get them ok!)

http://i54.tinypic.com/2i9o9l0.jpg
Here you go. I suggest getting two identical hides, you can really use a smaller water dish. I'd cover more of the top with a towel or aluminum foil or plexi glass 1/2-2/3 of the way. Also, you can pick up black Con-tact paper from Home Depot and cover the sides and back of the tank.

Are you using a UTH or only those lamps??

sorry about that hopefully this works better: http://s1117.photobucket.com/albums/k581/Minpin1985/

What is UTH?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LGray23

I have never heard of a ball python swimming, so if you are seeing him soak often I'd check for mites. Be careful the substrate doesn't get wet, damp substrate can lead to scale rot and bacteria build up inside the enclosure.

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MY BP swims in his pool quite often and hangs out in his fountain as well. And he does not have mites. Any substrate that gets wet is removed the next day. And I have never had a problem with him. Not ragging on you, but just wanted to post that not all BP's are the same.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jaxx

MY BP swims in his pool quite often and hangs out in his fountain as well. And he does not have mites. Any substrate that gets wet is removed the next day. And I have never had a problem with him. Not ragging on you, but just wanted to post that not all BP's are the same.

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I am completely aware that not all ball pythons are the same, I am just stating that the norm behavior for a ball python is not swimming or soaking (unless breeding, low humidity, etc). I was pointing out a potential problem to someone who may not know mites even exist.

MinPin, a UTH is an under tank heater. Belly heat is more beneficial to ball pythons and most snakes in general (not all species) because it aides in digestion. Heat lamps are known to suck the humidity out of the air and generally run too hot and can cause uneven hot spots. I would suggest getting a UTH, can be found online or in most pet stores. You place the heater under the tank on the "warm" side, then get a thermostat to regulate the UTH. Thermostats can be found online easily, ranging in price. I can suggest a few to you if you like, I use three different types. UTHs without a thermostat can cause burns, which is why you will need a thermostat if you choose to switch to a UTH.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jaxx

MY BP swims in his pool quite often and hangs out in his fountain as well. And he does not have mites. Any substrate that gets wet is removed the next day. And I have never had a problem with him. Not ragging on you, but just wanted to post that not all BP's are the same.

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Thank You for saying that...I totally agree with you. Our python doesn't have mites and enjoys the occasional swim :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LGray23

I am completely aware that not all ball pythons are the same, I am just stating that the norm behavior for a ball python is not swimming or soaking (unless breeding, low humidity, etc). I was pointing out a potential problem to someone who may not know mites even exist.

MinPin, a UTH is an under tank heater. Belly heat is more beneficial to ball pythons and most snakes in general (not all species) because it aides in digestion. Heat lamps are known to suck the humidity out of the air and generally run too hot and can cause uneven hot spots. I would suggest getting a UTH, can be found online or in most pet stores. You place the heater under the tank on the "warm" side, then get a thermostat to regulate the UTH. Thermostats can be found online easily, ranging in price. I can suggest a few to you if you like, I use three different types. UTHs without a thermostat can cause burns, which is why you will need a thermostat if you choose to switch to a UTH.

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We do have a UTH then underneath the thick carpet so that it is warm but doesn't burn him. Are you saying that if you have a UTH you shouldn't use a heat lamp?

It depends on where you live, some people need low watt lamps to keep ambient temp warm enough. I only need to use a lamp on a dimmer in the winter here in MA. IMO the UTH should be outside of the tank on the bottom, but with the carpet as long as he can't get underneath it I'm not sure it will be too bad of a problem. I'd still consider getting a thermostat though.

When I have a snake thats in a bad shed I will set it up in a box of damp moss for a while. (most of the time it only takes a few hours) it works. Then just read and fix your caging problem. good luck.

Try this...it works great for me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5Sqzd9-HjI

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LGray23

I am completely aware that not all ball pythons are the same, I am just stating that the norm behavior for a ball python is not swimming or soaking (unless breeding, low humidity, etc). I was pointing out a potential problem to someone who may not know mites even exist.

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Sorry... I guess even when trying to be diplomatic about it and only stating my BP's behavior I was wrong and it offended you. I apologize for speaking up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LGray23

It depends on where you live, some people need low watt lamps to keep ambient temp warm enough. I only need to use a lamp on a dimmer in the winter here in MA. IMO the UTH should be outside of the tank on the bottom, but with the carpet as long as he can't get underneath it I'm not sure it will be too bad of a problem. I'd still consider getting a thermostat though.

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Yeah that is what I meant...it is under the glass under the carpet so I doubt I need a thermostat for it. Why do I need a different hide out and the paper around the sides and back? I believe I need to use both a heat lamp like we have and the UTH because to keep the temp up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jaxx

Sorry... I guess even when trying to be diplomatic about it and only stating my BP's behavior I was wrong and it offended you. I apologize for speaking up.

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I don't easily offend, and nothing you said offended me. I was simply saying why I said what I had said about ball pythons generally not soaking for no reason. It's impossible to tell tone through text, so no need to jump to conclusions.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Minpin1985

Yeah that is what I meant...it is under the glass under the carpet so I doubt I need a thermostat for it. Why do I need a different hide out and the paper around the sides and back? I believe I need to use both a heat lamp like we have and the UTH because to keep the temp up.

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How do you read the temps directly above the carpet?

There should be two identical tight fitting hides because they need to be able to thermoregulate. Because snakes are cold blooded they need a heat source, but to prevent over heating they move to the cool side. If you have two identical hides then they won't sacrifice safety for security. In your current setup your snake cannot properly thermoregulate because there is only one hide on the hot side.

The contact paper around the sides blacks out the tank, making it feel more secure to them and making the tank seem less wide open. It's not a necessary but I've found it to help them feel more safe in such a large tank.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LGray23

How do you read the temps directly above the carpet?

There should be two identical tight fitting hides because they need to be able to thermoregulate. Because snakes are cold blooded they need a heat source, but to prevent over heating they move to the cool side. If you have two identical hides then they won't sacrifice safety for security. In your current setup your snake cannot properly thermoregulate because there is only one hide on the hot side.

The contact paper around the sides blacks out the tank, making it feel more secure to them and making the tank seem less wide open. It's not a necessary but I've found it to help them feel more safe in such a large tank.

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Thanks for the info but our snake has two plant spots also in the corners that he LOVES to hide under, one on the cooler end and the other on the warmer end next to the plant. He actually prefers the plants over the hideout.