bp back arching during shed

So, we, me and my mom, were rubbing some shed aid on my yearling bp to aid her shedding process. While she was rubbing my little girl, she started arching her back following my moms hand down her body. Then she rolled on her side and onto her back. Has this ever happened to anybody else before? None of my other balls do this and there are no signs of her having any sickness so what could it be?

First of all, you don't have to bother with the shed aid. As far as I've ever heard/read, it's a gimmick. If you are having issues with stuck shed try raising the humidity in your tank when the snake is shedding by misting. Otherwise, if you are trying to get the stuck shed off, soaking them in warm water will do the trick. I soak mine for about 15 minutes, with a hand towel, then run the wet hand towel down your snake, the shed should come off that way.

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Originally Posted by jagolden

So, we, me and my mom, were rubbing some shed aid on my yearling bp to aid her shedding process. While she was rubbing my little girl, she started arching her back following my moms hand down her body. Then she rolled on her side and onto her back. Has this ever happened to anybody else before? None of my other balls do this and there are no signs of her having any sickness so what could it be?

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The couple of times I've had to assist them getting some stuck bits of shed off, they "got the idea" and aggressively rolled and twisted inside the wet washcloth I was using.

They'd arch and contort themselves precisely in the worst stuck spots.

I assume they can 'feel' the stuck shed and are glad to be getting rid of it.

Bob, the 7 foot Boa is too big for a tub soak so I had to use the cloth and just rub him down in his house.

At first he was really annoyed but then started actively pushing into/against the cloth like a cat rubbing on your leg.

I think your snake was just being smart enough to 'help' you help her.

Hi, I'm jagolden's mom. I'm actually more interested in the back arching. We normally put larger water bowls in their tubs when they go into shed, misting them regularly, etc. We have a 9 year old, 2000 gram male, retired breeder, that will submerge his entire body in water throughout the shed process. We normally don't have many issues with bad sheds. Our Burmese required assistance for quite awhile before he "figured" it out, we would soak him then rub him down with a wet towel as you described. I've always enjoyed "moisturizing" them, using the tips of my fingers to lightly massage the length of their body, their scales/skin look so tight, I imagine it to be soothing? I'm not trying to speed up the shed process. Concerning our yearling bp, she's still a few days away from shedding. What caught our interest was the arching, the way she followed my fingers and rolling onto her back. She is always very hissy when she goes into shed and normally my sessions with her don't last long, I don't want to stress her out. But for whatever reason, yesterday was totally out of the norm for her. She was content, she didn't squirm or "ball" up, as I ran my fingertips over her she would arch up against my hand, roll onto her back, she was literally "like putty in my hands". This went on for over an hour, this was the first time I choose to put her up instead of putting her up because she was stressing. This was something I have never experienced with any of our reptiles and as my son stated, there's nothing to indicate sickness. I'm just curious if anyone else has experienced anything like this before, if so, what is your take on it?

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Originally Posted by SlitherinSisters

First of all, you don't have to bother with the shed aid. As far as I've ever heard/read, it's a gimmick. If you are having issues with stuck shed try raising the humidity in your tank when the snake is shedding by misting. Otherwise, if you are trying to get the stuck shed off, soaking them in warm water will do the trick. I soak mine for about 15 minutes, with a hand towel, then run the wet hand towel down your snake, the shed should come off that way.

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I totally agree with nixing the shed aid (used it over a decade ago but not since)- homeopathic oils are not needed for the toughest sheds. Soaking is where it is at if your snakes shedding is imperfect. Walmart has a plethora of inexpensive tubs with locking lids for snakes neonate to 14 burm sized.

Miarwi- as you may know these animals are as diverse and imperfect as is humans- thier thyroid activity that causes them to shed is complex and different snakes (of even the same species) have different results under the same conditions. The behavior you are talking about seems typical of any colubrid or boid as they feel discomfort during an imperfect shed cycle. Soaking boids at a monitored 80-85 degrees will help relieve this by making the skin to slough more pliable and easier removed by them or their keeper.

Having to constantly mist is more laborsome for the keeper and I feel that that it is a larger threat to ri/stomach rot- then the once a day soak. Sometimes once is just enough but twice three times will definitely assist in the process for the toughest sheds.

My big normal girl started arching recently...I was a little confused by it aswell. I just moved her into a cb-70 rack from a 41qt single tub and along with a lot more roaming, when I open her tub and stroke her back she arches up with my movement. I thought maybe it just felt good? She doesn't squirm away, just arches as I pet her like a cat leaning into your hand. Its actually pretty cute, I hope its not indicative of any illness or stress :(

She just shed about a 1-2 weeks ago, and isn't showing any signs of going into shed. (No pink belly/dull/blue etc)

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Originally Posted by miarwi

Hi, I'm jagolden's mom. I'm actually more interested in the back arching. We normally put larger water bowls in their tubs when they go into shed, misting them regularly, etc. We have a 9 year old, 2000 gram male, retired breeder, that will submerge his entire body in water throughout the shed process. We normally don't have many issues with bad sheds. Our Burmese required assistance for quite awhile before he "figured" it out, we would soak him then rub him down with a wet towel as you described. I've always enjoyed "moisturizing" them, using the tips of my fingers to lightly massage the length of their body, their scales/skin look so tight, I imagine it to be soothing? I'm not trying to speed up the shed process. Concerning our yearling bp, she's still a few days away from shedding. What caught our interest was the arching, the way she followed my fingers and rolling onto her back. She is always very hissy when she goes into shed and normally my sessions with her don't last long, I don't want to stress her out. But for whatever reason, yesterday was totally out of the norm for her. She was content, she didn't squirm or "ball" up, as I ran my fingertips over her she would arch up against my hand, roll onto her back, she was literally "like putty in my hands". This went on for over an hour, this was the first time I choose to put her up instead of putting her up because she was stressing. This was something I have never experienced with any of our reptiles and as my son stated, there's nothing to indicate sickness. I'm just curious if anyone else has experienced anything like this before, if so, what is your take on it?

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I wouldn't worry about it.
Mine get downright goofy with the squirmies.

[heck, if somebody would give me such a nice, long gentle massage, I'd be wiggling and giggling too]

:D

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Originally Posted by RoseyReps

My big normal girl started arching recently...I was a little confused by it aswell. I just moved her into a cb-70 rack from a 41qt single tub and along with a lot more roaming, when I open her tub and stroke her back she arches up with my movement. I thought maybe it just felt good? She doesn't squirm away, just arches as I pet her like a cat leaning into your hand. Its actually pretty cute, I hope its not indicative of any illness or stress :(

She just shed about a 1-2 weeks ago, and isn't showing any signs of going into shed. (No pink belly/dull/blue etc)

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My Dumerils started doing that...and then she started wagging her tail. at me, too

She's now living with a professional breeder and happily getting her freak on.

Your snake might just really, really like you.

:rofl:

I understand "technically" snakes aren't to be considered as pets. I know they don't have the emotions, thoughts, feelings, etc. like that of a cat or dog. Even though I know this, I still feel that bonds can be formed, on certain levels and depending on the breed. With our girl the other day l truly felt she was enjoying her massage. Others have stated the logic behind her actions and it makes perfect sense. I appreciate all of the input, thoughts and opinions. My son has taught me far more about reptiles, the different breeds, species, morphs, etc. than I ever imagined possible. We have had the honor and pleasure of working with a reptile rescue & rehabilitation facility on a few occasions. It was a tremendous amount of work but very satisfying. I'm so glad to be a part of your forums!

sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3
using TapaTalk

You're too funny and I love your attitude

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Originally Posted by miarwi

You're too funny and I love your attitude

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Does that mean I'm getting a back rub/massage soon?

:D