Another Shed question

My BP is shedding for the first time since I have had him. He was in the opeque (eyes) stage on 2/26/09. Now his skin is wierd looking..sort of wrinkly and very dull, anyway like it is about ready to come off. It has been this way for about 5 or 6 days now. It has peeled off his head. However, I am not seeing much progress of the skin coming off his body. Is this normal or does he need some help..like a warm bath?

He was acting hungry, so I fed him. He ate very quickly. He is just now getting back on feed schedule from fasting due to relocation. He has had only three meals (3 hoppers) since 1/9/09. So, I didnt want him to go too long w/out food. He is only 5 months old.

I am worried why his skin is not coming off. Humidity is 50-70%. It hardly ever falls below 50% and I have been misting when I am home to raise to 70%. Temps are perfect and do not fluctuate as I have a Helix Thermostat controling the temps.

If his skin does not come of soon, will he get sick or something?

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by micbrown

My BP is shedding for the first time since I have had him. He was in the opeque (eyes) stage on 2/26/09. Now his skin is wierd looking..sort of wrinkly and very dull, anyway like it is about ready to come off. It has been this way for about 5 or 6 days now. It has peeled off his head. However, I am not seeing much progress of the skin coming off his body. Is this normal or does he need some help..like a warm bath?

He was acting hungry, so I fed him. He ate very quickly. He is just now getting back on feed schedule from fasting due to relocation. He has had only three meals (3 hoppers) since 1/9/09. So, I didnt want him to go too long w/out food. He is only 5 months old.

I am worried why his skin is not coming off. Humidity is 50-70%. It hardly ever falls below 50% and I have been misting when I am home to raise to 70%. Temps are perfect and do not fluctuate as I have a Helix Thermostat controling the temps.

If his skin does not come of soon, will he get sick or something?

Thanks!

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50% humidity all the time 70% during a shed cycle . . . let him soak in some water . . . not hotter than 85F take a warm wet towel after he has soaked for about 20 mins and rub him down from head to tail along the spin this should get rid of the stuborn shed . . . sound slike a humidity problem

i don't bathe anymore but i used to. if you do, PLEASE DON'T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE SNAKE FOR A SECOND. i never had a disaster but a month or so ago 2 people lost a snake to drowning within a week of each other.

sometimes it takes a little bit. i keep the humidity right and just wait it out. do you have something he can rub off on? i keep rocks as decoration but they use them for shed too.

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Originally Posted by Ranegyr

i don't bathe anymore but i used to. if you do, PLEASE DON'T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE SNAKE FOR A SECOND. i never had a disaster but a month or so ago 2 people lost a snake to drowning within a week of each other.

sometimes it takes a little bit. i keep the humidity right and just wait it out. do you have something he can rub off on? i keep rocks as decoration but they use them for shed too.

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wow you should never leave a snake unattended . . . im pretty sure snakes can stay under water for a long time too without air not sure exactly how long but those people would have had to leave those snakes unattended for awhile for that to happen

What are you measuring humidity with? Is there anything in his cage that is rough for him to get the shed off with?

I am using an analog humidty gauge. He has many objects in his cage to rub off the skin.

Maybe I will try a bath..I will keep a very close eye on him.

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Originally Posted by Python Guru

wow you should never leave a snake unattended . . . im pretty sure snakes can stay under water for a long time too without air not sure exactly how long but those people would have had to leave those snakes unattended for awhile for that to happen

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i agree. Never leave one unattended. i just remember a lot of responses from the vets on here saying it's not the best option. i am by no means a vet, i am just regurgitating what they said.

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Originally Posted by micbrown

I am using an analog humidty gauge. He has many objects in his cage to rub off the skin.

Maybe I will try a bath..I will keep a very close eye on him.

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get a digital humidity reader. The one you have now is probably very inaccurate.

A lot of individuals on this site seem to have good results with the Accurite Temp/Humitity gage. You can get this one from Wal-Mart, Lowes, HomeDepot for $10. There are a million threads here about the Accurate. I have one for each snake. Analog is very innaccurate and Balls are kinda picky. It's worth the investment.

i find that some wet ppr towels in a shoe box sizes bin work wonders. just leave the snake in there for about a half hour and when removing him just wrap a damp cloth around him and let him slither through. worked for me with the rescue ive had for a while now. (no drowning hazard)

hope this helps

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Originally Posted by bobbi

(no drowning hazard)

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if you keep your eye on ur snake while he is bathing there is no drowing hazard . . . the only reason a snake drowns is neglect

To help you better understand the whole process of shedding....

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...=332195#332195

How to help get that stuck shed off your snake....

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...=867552#867552

Please note - Step 2 - Christie notes that the water should not be deep, your snake should NOT have to swim

Another popular method is to thoroughly wet a small pillowcase or thin snake bag with warm water (not hot), place the snake into it and tie it closed. Place the bag with the snake inside in it's enclosure on the warm side and leave it for a couple of hours. They often slither around and the shed comes off.