Helping to shed

[M.C.757]

So Iv seen videos of people helping their snakes shed. Not like making conditions better, but physically helping pull the shed off. Any thoughts on this?

Both of my snakes shed just fine, but I think it would be a cool experience to do that with a snake. Is it wrong to do that?

I wouldn’t want to stress my snakes or anything, I just think it would be fun. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.


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[Bogertophis]

You never want to force the old skin off, as that can damage their skin. But if it's readily coming off easily, it's fine: I have many times over the
years helped out a snake as they shed in my hands. Many snakes are more defensive (instinctively) at this time & are more apt to nip...but those
that already know me often seem to appreciate the help...I can't recall ever getting bit while helping a snake this way, they want out of their old
skin & seem to realize I'm "useful", lol. Sometimes I've had to soak & assist an elderly snake with their shed...but most of the time, it's good exercise
for them to just do it themselves if they can, so it's your call. All snakes are different, as far as stress: if yours is comfortable with you, give it a try.

You always want to check after they shed for anything they might have missed anyway, like eyecaps or tail tips (or lower jaw often sticks too).
Let us know how you did?

[Bogertophis]

And by the way, I don't exactly "pull the skin off", it's more like I just let a snake slide thru my hands...as they would slide against a rock or thru
a forked branch. Once in a while, one of my snakes may have the skin stuck on their chin...that's what they hate me fussing with, but I still don't
get bit...you have to be gentle & persistent...not holding too tight, it's a give & take, that way the snake doesn't feel under attack.

[Zincubus]

Any stubborn shed skin or even retained eye caps can easily removed by a short soak and letting the snake slither around inside a wet / damp , rough textured , towel whilst you apply very , very gentle pressure .


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[Craiga 01453]

If your snakes shed just fine, why bother?

[Zincubus]

If your snakes shed just fine, why bother?

I agree . I foolishly tried to 'help' one of my Woma pythons many years ago by gently pulling a little piece of skin off - guessing it wasn't impressed as she bit me !


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[Craiga 01453]

I agree . I foolishly tried to 'help' one of my Woma pythons many years ago by gently pulling a little piece of skin off - guessing it wasn't impressed as she bit me !


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Yeah, I just don't see why you would need or want to help a healthy animal that sheds well on its own.

Proper husbandry equals proper shed. I've never had anything but complete sheds with any of my snakes. Even years ago when my husbandry was sub par compared to today, my snakes always shed completely and only my BP had a few that weren't one piece sheds.

[bcr229]

If I catch my snakes in the process of shedding I'll go ahead and give them a helping hand, but I don't hover over them as they are in blue waiting for it to happen so I can help either. There are a few that have scars from rat bites or surgery, that sometimes need a bit of extra help removing stuck shed from those areas.

[Craiga 01453]

If I catch my snakes in the process of shedding I'll go ahead and give them a helping hand, but I don't hover over them as they are in blue waiting for it to happen so I can help either. There are a few that have scars from rat bites or surgery, that sometimes need a bit of extra help removing stuck shed from those areas.

I can see it with a scarred animal or an animal that NEEDS the help. But what's the benefit otherwise?

[Bogertophis]

I can see it with a scarred animal or an animal that NEEDS the help. But what's the benefit otherwise?

As a means of building trust...the same reason we hold our pets at all? They are essentially wild animals who rely on instincts, but they certainly do learn
that they are safe with us. I say this as one who interacts with the public with my snakes for educational purposes, & as one who has never had a snake
bite or act badly during any such program or "meet & greet". In my experience, the trust my snakes seem to feel when handled apparently carries over
to total strangers, which is exactly what I want & what they need: good public relations