Bad Shed stuck on Head

Hello,


Most of this afternoon and evening I have been searching online about how to remove bits of shedded skin from a snake’s head. Apparently the hygrometer I was using ceased to function properly; the humidity was too low :(. I borrowed a hygrometer from one of my centipedes’ enclosures (I have much more experience with tarantulas, scorpions, and centipedes than reptiles) and it was around 40%. Stupid Nat. Geo hygrometer!


On this forum another user posted a helpful thread about soaking a BP in a tub of water; however, as the flake of skin is on her head, I loathe having to restrain her to run a cloth over her head – that will stress her (and me) out so much! :(.


The first question I have is if it is even necessary to try removing this with some potentially stressful method – the flake of skin isn ’t covering her eyes or nostrils and she seems fine. Should I simply raise the humidity, maybe try the soaking method, but otherwise leave her to remove it on her own, or is it critical to her health that I remove it?

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...90430280_o.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...24521461_o.jpg

You can leave it. It will be fine.

The biggest concerns are:
- eye caps, if multiples build up the eyes can get infected,
- tail tip, if stuck sheds build up they dry out and can cut off circulation to the tail.

A little bit on the head isn't a concern, keep your humidity up and your snake will deal with it herself.

I agree, I would leave that stuck shed and make sure the snake has some humidity. That small amount of shed won't hurt the snake.

Bath it in a tub of luke warm water for 20 or 30 minutes. Afterwards, use a damp cloth to gentle rub it off... if it bothers you that much. Not necessary. Could just leave it for time and the snake to handle on its on.

Fast Shadow

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Baba Fett

Bath it in a tub of luke warm water for 20 or 30 minutes. Afterwards, use a damp cloth to gentle rub it off... if it bothers you that much. Not necessary. Could just leave it for time and the snake to handle on its on.

Fast Shadow

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You're brave :)

( I totally agree incidentally ).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Baba Fett

Bath it in a tub of luke warm water for 20 or 30 minutes. Afterwards, use a damp cloth to gentle rub it off... if it bothers you that much. Not necessary. Could just leave it for time and the snake to handle on its on.

Fast Shadow

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

You're brave :)

( I totally agree incidentally ).

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How long out of the 20 or 30 minutes do you believe the ball will have its head under water? My BRB for sure would be submerged and swimming but my ball not so much.

For such a small patch or skin that will probably fall off on its own there is no need for such advice.

A damp pillow case would be the best option if you just had to handle it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KMG

How long out of the 20 or 30 minutes do you believe the ball will have its head under water? My BRB for sure would be submerged and swimming but my ball not so much.

For such a small patch or skin that will probably fall off on its own there is no need for such advice.

A damp pillow case would be the best option if you just had to handle it.

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A damp pillow case will provide some moisture to the area but not much friction .
As to Royals/ Balls under water .... my pair of Albino have both had short soaks in the past and both rarely put their heads OUT of the water ... That's just my experiences though .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

A damp pillow case will provide some moisture to the area but not much friction .
As to Royals/ Balls under water .... my pair of Albino have both had short soaks in the past and both rarely put their heads OUT of the water ... That's just my experiences though .

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My ball does soak like that. My bloods, brb and even my gtp which loves to swim would be under water but my ball wants nothing to do with it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KMG

How long out of the 20 or 30 minutes do you believe the ball will have its head under water? My BRB for sure would be submerged and swimming but my ball not so much.

For such a small patch or skin that will probably fall off on its own there is no need for such advice.

A damp pillow case would be the best option if you just had to handle it.

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I would never recommend a damp pillow case. Just put some damp moss in its hide, it will come off in no time. With out stressing the snake out. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KMG

How long out of the 20 or 30 minutes do you believe the ball will have its head under water? My BRB for sure would be submerged and swimming but my ball not so much.

For such a small patch or skin that will probably fall off on its own there is no need for such advice.

A damp pillow case would be the best option if you just had to handle it.

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The moisture in the air inside the soaking tub will do the job, the snake does not have to submerge its head.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by andyroof1979

The moisture in the air inside the soaking tub will do the job, the snake does not have to submerge its head.

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Yea but I don't like leaving my snake to soak in a tub with a lid on it and do not recommend it. This little amount of skin is not an issue and some are making it out to be more than it is and do this that are just not needed. Its not like this is a rescue with a multi layer stuck shed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sonny1318

I would never recommend a damp pillow case. Just put some damp moss in its hide, it will come off in no time. With out stressing the snake out. ;)

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You are so right since snakes hate dark damp places. What was I thinking. Silly me.

I think moss should be in everybody's hides with a humidity issue. I know you have seen me suggest this method and many that now also suggest it now got it from me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KMG

You are so right since snakes hate dark damp places. What was I thinking. Silly me.

.

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Its really not that silly , is it ? As I'm sure I've read that Royals / Balls are to be found in rodent holes and in the root systems of trees so they are presumably fairly dark and damp .

Its really not that silly , is it ? As I'm sure I've read that Royals / Balls are to be found in rodent holes and in the root systems of trees so they are presumably fairly dark and damp .

I forgot to use the sarcastic font.


Are you hitting the submit button more than once? You keep getting double and triple post.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KMG

I forgot to use the sarcastic font.


Are you hitting the submit button more than once? You keep getting double and triple post.

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No . Using TapaTalk for ease .

I was defending you incidentally ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

No . Using TapaTalk for ease .

I was defending you incidentally ;)

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I know. I was just being funny. Sorry if it came off wrong.

I soak and let the snake go through the wash rag. Works like a charm

Humidity sucks in Chicago this time of year. Hard to keep my tanks above 40%. I use moss and a large water dish, but I'm just going to have to switch over to plastic tubs for a while.

I bathe mine in only 2 or 3 inches of water. They swim like crazy and never had an issue them keeping their heads underwater. My Lemon had eye caps stuck on and I had to use the towel method to get them off because she wouldn't eat.

I'm picking up 3 more babies soon, but before that I have to get my humidity issues together. Bathing/soaking them should be unnecessary.

Fast Shadow

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Baba Fett

Humidity sucks in Chicago this time of year. Hard to keep my tanks above 40%. I use moss and a large water dish, but I'm just going to have to switch over to plastic tubs for a while.

I bathe mine in only 2 or 3 inches of water. They swim like crazy and never had an issue them keeping their heads underwater. My Lemon had eye caps stuck on and I had to use the towel method to get them off because she wouldn't eat.

I'm picking up 3 more babies soon, but before that I have to get my humidity issues together. Bathing/soaking them should be unnecessary.

Fast Shadow

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I hope you don't leave them alone. They don't need the water that deep. Having it so deep they are required to swim to keep their head above water can exhaust them and they can drown.

They are not water snakes and I personally never place my snakes in water deep enough to swim in. I only have it deep enough to reach 1/2 to 3/4 up their side.

They actually swim just fine. They seem to enjoy it. If you read my post I said it shouldn't be necessary. It has never once seemed stressful or as if they don't like it. I leave objects in for them to climb on if they want a break and the tub base is angled so they have a shallow side that's probably only an inch deep.

Sometimes they swim, other times they just float and stare at me. Regardless, seems that others do the same and have same water loving non aquatic snakes I managed to luck up on. [emoji4] http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...dd8f50fcd4.jpg

http://www.repticzone.com/forums/Bal...es/963453.html

Fast Shadow

If you read my post I didn't say they couldn't swim I just said I don't like to make them. My GTP loves to swim and frequently he swims in his water bowl, now that really surprised me to see. He can do it all.

What you just post was much more detailed than anything you have done before. You need to remember when you are giving advice, especially to somebody new in the hobby, that you need to give all the important details involved. Failing to do so could result in them following vague advice and harming their pet unintentionally.

Simple things like tub. Reading your post I and most would believe you are referring to a tub as used in a rack system but as seen in your photo you are actually referring to a bath tub.

Just because it is clear in your mind does not mean that it will be in others.

Hi there, im new to snake keeping world and I have a bp called Tandra...she is currently going through a shed and I was wondering is it normal for them to shed their skins in pieces? I am doing everything by the book, however I read on a forum somewhere that if a bp doesnt shed its skin in one piece, its the cause of a bad owner not looking after it properly? Is this the case? I hope not as I do everything I can to keep my tandra happy and healthy...any advice?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dw83uk

Hi there, im new to snake keeping world and I have a bp called Tandra...she is currently going through a shed and I was wondering is it normal for them to shed their skins in pieces? I am doing everything by the book, however I read on a forum somewhere that if a bp doesnt shed its skin in one piece, its the cause of a bad owner not looking after it properly? Is this the case? I hope not as I do everything I can to keep my tandra happy and healthy...any advice?

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Having a shed come off in pieces is a sign that the humidity was too low. As long as all the old skin comes off it is not a problem but you are going to want to boost the humidity next time.

With proper humidity the skin should slide off in one long piece.

Ok thank you, im going to change the enclosure in which I keep tandra in and I hope this will improve the next time she sheds...I think her current enclosure has too much ventilation despite attempts to reduce this

Ok thanks for the advice

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dw83uk

Ok thank you, im going to change the enclosure in which I keep tandra in and I hope this will improve the next time she sheds...I think her current enclosure has too much ventilation despite attempts to reduce this

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I know nothing of your enclosure but with humidity issues I recommend placing damp moss in your hides. This gives me perfect sheds in a tank with low humidity.

Having the moist moss in the hides make the hides more humid than the rest of the tank. Since the snake spends most of its time in the hide it directly benefits from it. During a shed I keep it moist and during a non shed time I make it moist and then allow it to dry before adding moisture. At the start of a shed I soak the moss in water and put it in very wet. Moss is cheap and its easy to maintain.

Thats great advice thanks...I have her in a faunarium, but getting a proper viv next week :)

I think this one is kinda dead now. But I stumbled on this while reading today. Soap is a bit much, bleach is a no go, but apparently bathing them is a good idea for a few reasons.http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...bd9fa74a8b.jpg

That comes from this book...http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...5faef43046.jpg

Anyway. Hope that helps someone out.

Fast Shadow

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Baba Fett

I think this one is kinda dead now. But I stumbled on this while reading today. Soap is a bit much, bleach is a no go, but apparently bathing them is a good idea for a few reasons.http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...bd9fa74a8b.jpg

That comes from this book...http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...5faef43046.jpg

Anyway. Hope that helps someone out.

Fast Shadow

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Jesus ..... suggesting using a 10% strength bleach mixture sounds downright crazy for anything let alone a loving creature !

Agreed. Even the author agreed. That sounds like animal cruelty.

Fast Shadow