Should I go to the vet?

Hey everyone. I've been lurking for a while and just now need to post for the first time. My ball python has always struggled with shedding -I'm in NC and the humidity hangs around 50% - but all-in-all he's been pretty healthy. No sickness or anything. Lately he has been showing the following symptoms:

• Dry, loose skin, even after a partial shed, for the past three months
• Eye-caps that are always dimpled, no matter what
• Rarely, if ever, see him drink water

What should I do? Should I get him a hygrometer-controlled humidifier (I already have the sensor and power strip, so this would be simple)? Would an extra 20% humidity really help the little guy? Any help would be awesome!

Your snake should not struggle and would not struggle to shed if your husbandry was correct. It does not sound like a vet is going to help much right now. It sounds like we need to fix your setup and get your snake the humidity it needs. Describe and post a pic of your setup so we can help.

A humidifier may help but it seems to me that your setup is not holding humidity so we probably need to make other changes before adding that. WE Should be able to get you to having great sheds without one.

Sounds like dehydration to me. Do you have a screen top terrarium?

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Originally Posted by JPR

Sounds like dehydration to me. Do you have a screen top terrarium?

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If you do I recommend an appropriate sized tub with a heating pad hooked up to a thermostat or at least a rheostat. It sounds like mentioned earlier your ball python is lacking the correct humidity to properly shed because with correct humidity and set up it should shed perfectly.

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Originally Posted by colton62

If you do I recommend an appropriate sized tub with a heating pad hooked up to a thermostat or at least a rheostat. It sounds like mentioned earlier your ball python is lacking the correct humidity to properly shed because with correct humidity and set up it should shed perfectly.

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Or, conversely, I used to get plexiglass cut to cover about 3/4 of the tank (leaving enough room for any lights you may have and ventilation). I then used aquarium safe silicone to secure it in place. Just make sure you have another place to keep your bp for the 24 hours it takes to cure fully.

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Originally Posted by KMG

Your snake should not struggle and would not struggle to shed if your husbandry was correct. It does not sound like a vet is going to help much right now. It sounds like we need to fix your setup and get your snake the humidity it needs. Describe and post a pic of your setup so we can help.

A humidifier may help but it seems to me that your setup is not holding humidity so we probably need to make other changes before adding that. WE Should be able to get you to having great sheds without one.

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• Terrarium: I use a Zoo Med glass terrarium (rather large, I'd say 30 - 40 gallons) with a screen top.
• Substrate: I use Eco Earth natural substrate
• Water: I have a large water rock at all times, always full, with fresh water
• Heat: I use a thermostat-controlled heating pad on one side of the terrarium

Also, here's a crude picture of the setup:

http://f.cl.ly/items/2L3R083F0D3C391...50.31%20AM.png



Anything look horribly wrong? I feel bad for this guy :(

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Originally Posted by JPR

Or, conversely, I used to get plexiglass cut to cover about 3/4 of the tank (leaving enough room for any lights you may have and ventilation). I then used aquarium safe silicone to secure it in place. Just make sure you have another place to keep your bp for the 24 hours it takes to cure fully.

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That's true too. I forgot about that, it looks a lot better than just a random tub lol.

As for your immediate issue (if it is dehydration) just give it a bath in a mostly covered container with lukewarm water. (The water should not feel warm to you)

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Originally Posted by bitpshr

• Terrarium: I use a Zoo Med glass terrarium (rather large, I'd say 30 - 40 gallons) with a screen top.
• Substrate: I use Eco Earth natural substrate
• Water: I have a large water rock at all times, always full, with fresh water
• Heat: I use a thermostat-controlled heating pad on one side of the terrarium

Also, here's a crude picture of the setup:

http://f.cl.ly/items/2L3R083F0D3C391...50.31%20AM.png



Anything look horribly wrong? I feel bad for this guy :(

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I used to use a very similar terrarium. I got thin plexiglass cut to fill 3 out of the 4 sections of the top.

Oh and if you do give it a bath, only put enough water to cover about half of the bp.

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Originally Posted by JPR

I used to use a very similar terrarium. I got thin plexiglass cut to fill 3 out of the 4 sections of the top.

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That's a good suggestion. So basically, my problem isn't necessarily my substrate or lack of misting (I do fairly often throughout the day), but instead, it's probably my terrarium being a bit to leaky? I really never would've thought of that. Thanks!

I am giving him a bath now, thanks for the tips.

What i would do is paint the 3 sides leaving the front exposed. I used black plastidip which you can peel off at a later time. I then used a piece of corrugated plastic (near yard sale signs at lowes or HD). Then i covered it with aluminum foil and tape and put that side facing the cage. It maintained heat and humidity like a champ. Perfect health, perfect sheds.

Yup. Used to have the exact same issue with my first guy. When I sealed up the top a bit, things got better. You'll notice the glass fogging up after misting. And the sides should remain moist much longer than they do now.

Just out of curiosity, what do you use for heat? And also what do you measure temps with?

Yes you are loosing all you're humidity because your tank is to open with the screen and vents. I use cardboard cut to the size of the screen lid. I then cut a window to allow the che and heat lamp to be able to pass the heat into the cage. I then wrapped the cardboard in aluminum foil and placed it on the screen. I have also used the tape method but I like the cardboard better because I can lift it away if needed.

Also on the front of that style tank is a air vent running the full length of the front. You can use electrical tape and cover all or a large portion of the holes to help hold humidity. The electrical tape blends into the plastic and it will not look bad at all. And again electrical tape is very easy to remove in case you need to make any changes later.

I would also buy moss from the pet store. Dip a good clump in water and lightly ring out. Then place these clumps in each of your snakes hides. This will create higher humidity directly to the snake since its hides are its main hangouts. I allow the moss to dry and then mist it well or give it another dip. During a shed make sure to keep it damp and your sheds will be much better.

With these changes you should be having prefect sheds in no time.

As for any side or back covering, its got nothing to do with your humidity but can add to the feeling of security of the snake. I used heavy art paper and it actually insulated the cage a bit and raised my temps about 2 degrees.

Cover top of tank till you get proper humidity levels. No vet visit required
If stuck shed soak in warm water for a while and it should sloth off easily

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bitpshr

That's a good suggestion. So basically, my problem isn't necessarily my substrate or lack of misting (I do fairly often throughout the day), but instead, it's probably my terrarium being a bit to leaky? I really never would've thought of that. Thanks!

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If you can pick up some Electrolite water from a drugstore, itll help him more then normal tap water

Covering part of the top worked great for a boa I used to have in a terrarium. I'd use a damp towel to keep the humidity up. Always shed in one piece and was happy as could be!

Damp towels on the screen will cause the screen to rust after some time.

I'm also in NC. I do use a damp towel (not wet) and cover a portion of the tank. I use a thick dish towel. Keeps the humidity at 50-55%. I cover more during shed to 70%. Her shed comes off in one long piece every time. The rust is an interesting point I had not thought of.

I keep an eye and uncover or cover more depending on where the humidity is at least during my on/off light change. My system is just working so well, I guess I'm just going to risk having to get a new top. Mine is a 20gl tank. I like how I can manage the humidity so particularly on a constant basis.


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