Shedding???

[B3hustaf]

I purchased a Ball python about 31/2 months ago, and he has yet to shed withot my assistance. I was curiuos if there is something I need to do to help him? Any advice is great thanks

[gmmuscle91]

How high is your humidity? It should be at about 50%-60%. Also how high is your temps? Warm side should be in the lower 90's and cool side in the lower 80's.

[tigerlily]

Yeah, your humidity is probably too low. That happens to a lot of people when they turn their heat on. (dries the air right up) Here are a few options... Get a spray bottle and mist a couple times a day. Get a humidifier for the room. Make a humid hide and put in the cage when you see the eyes go blue. (Humid hide is basically a rubbermaid like container with an entrance and lightly dampened paper towels. Those should help get you a great shed!

[gmmuscle91]

Or i use a humidimat from bigappleherps.com. one improvement we had to make though was sew the edges because the first time we soaked it it broke open. i think i wasnt supposed to bend it so it may have been my fault. it keeps the humidity between 50%-60% all the time. u want to soak it about every week and a half so it doesnt dry out all the way.

[tigerlily]

Those things are terrible breeding grounds for bacteria. They are not highly recommended here.

[SatanicIntention]

I would stay away from those. They are a wonderful breeding ground for bacteria that your snake is coming in daily contact with. Can we say "EW"? Coupled with the warmth of the tank and the wetness of the humidimat, bacteria will grow like nobodys business. Covering your screen top with a piece of plexiglas/glass, saran wrap or foil will work exactly the same and you won't have the bacterial issue...

It's the same way when you put a wet towel on top of a screen top to produce humidity. Warm, humid air coupled with a maybe not-so-clean towel that is wet... Yep... Bacteria heaven. Plus, air is being filtered through the wet, bacteria-infested towel and your snake is BREATHING that air... Yay for respiratory infections...

Even a room humidifier would do the same thing.

[gmmuscle91]

i have tried to cover it with plexiglass and mist it often and it still wont keep the humidity high enough and her first shed was in pieces, this last one was one piece

[diamond1]

i have been having this same problem!!!

what do i do?help!!!

[Adam_Wysocki]

i have tried to cover it with plexiglass and mist it often and it still wont keep the humidity high enough and her first shed was in pieces, this last one was one piece

I would rather have a snake that sheds in pieces than an environment that might promote the growth of mold. Stuck sheds can be removed easily enough by soaking, mold and bacteria can kill a snake.

-adam

[recycling goddess]

yup, whaT HE SAID!!!