Difficult Shedding - New adult python owner

[jenneebeebop]

Hey guys,

So, I have recently rescued an adult male ball and love him lots. Such a gentile snake. However, he recently shed- his first with me. And I'm not sure how long it shouldve taken for him to remove his skin. He seemed to be having lots of difficulty for 3 days - I've since then added a real damp teatowel under his favourite hide - where his undertank heating pad is to give him a nice humid place to hangout. Unfortunately, I dont have a humidity thermometer. His previous owner was simply giving him away - she hadnt fed him in over a month, he had no lamp, and only one hide when i saved him. I've since provided him with a second hide, heating pad and lamp, and a much more adequate water bowl - and have been feeding him weekly - he's much more active now and seems happier. But the shedding... He made a disaster of his cage on the fifth day, rubbing and leaving shreds everywhere. I heard Ideal conditions allow the python to shed in one piece, I've also heard that pythons rarely ever shed in one piece. Im not sure which is more accurate? I would just hate to dehydrate my Diego, or not know if something else can be done. I mist the cage with water every other day aswell, but really dont want it to be too moist either.

Was this a normal shed? am I being paranoid? hes still got just a fewww little pieces on him, and i've obviously cleaned his cage of his debris. I was advised to give him a warm bath?
Does that stress them out real bad?

[Mr. Misha]

He just had a difficult shed. If your BP sheds in one piece that means your humidity is on point. A hygrometer gauge is a must so you know what's the actual humidity in your terrarium. BPs should have 45-55% humidity normally and it should be bumped up to about 65% during shedding.

A bath would be a good idea. Just remember to make sure that the water is luke warm, almost room temp because what feels warm to us is scortching hot for them.

Here's a great thread on how to take care of stuck shed: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=74290

Additonally you mentioned you have a UTH in your terrarium. What kind of thermostat are you using to control it?

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[jenneebeebop]

Hey!
so lol tried the bath thanngg.
he bit me for the first time, he got real freaked out, I think i had the water too warm and now i feel "bad"
I bought a hygrometer once i finished posting - i new it was essential, and when i put it in my tank it had been at 50 which i was happy with - since id been using my hand to tell otherwise lol. I also had been using some sort of terra-carpet stuff? I got him some aspen so hes got something slightly more abrasive to lay in if he still needs to get stuff off. I'll try a bath again in a couple of days to let the trauma wear off.
he has a nice looking home now though
And the under tank heater is simply plugged in and theres no measn of adjusting/ I check it everyyyyday to make sure its not getting too hot. I'm a fairly paranoid person and like to take care of my animals as best as i can, im always checking and changing his water and making sure his cage is secure. I've got a pet rat, bird and two cats aswell and wouldnt want anything to happen to anyone. Is there something i should be using to monitor that though?
thank you for the reply, I feel better.

[Eric Alan]

Your hands are absolutely not the right tools to be able to determine either humidity or temperature. A way to control the heater (a thermostat) is an absolute must, otherwise we'll be reading another "I knew it was essential" post when your snake ends up with a burned belly.

[jenneebeebop]

Your hands are absolutely not the right tools to be able to determine either humidity or temperature. A way to control the heater (a thermostat) is an absolute must, otherwise we'll be reading another "I knew it was essential" post when your snake ends up with a burned belly.

Obviously not! did i say they were? I rescued him from someone who had him in a damp gross basement, and had to purchase everything. I said i was pleased because it hadnt been horribly off. and im asking because ive been told more than once that the heating unit hes got under the tank is usually fine - unless it goes on the frits. IT DOESNT have a way to alter the temperature at which it runs. i have a thermostat. but that only READS the temperature, it doesnt CONTROL it. You didnt offer any advice. Since having a snake, I've actually grown completely sick of the snarky things people say to eachother, simply observing pages and forums. .

[thejennabird]

Without attempting to get into any debates or conflicts, I think there's a simple misunderstanding here about the differences between thermometers and thermostats.

From what you've described, it sounds like you have a thermometer measuring the temperature of your UTH. (Ie. It tells you the temperature, but it doesn't regulate the power of the UTH in any way.) So far you yourself have had to be vigilant and make sure the UTH doesn't get too hot. Which is good for you! Some people wouldn't even monitor those temps daily. Others don't have a thermometer reading the temperature of the UTH.

BUT, a thermostat will actually control the heat of your UTH. That's it's job! A thermostat is the "means of adjusting" your UTH that you say it currently lacks. A thermostat has a temperature probe attached to its unit. When the probe senses your UTH is too hot, the thermostat unit turns the UTH off or down until the UTH is back at the desired temperature.

I have a thermostat. but that only READS the temperature, it doesnt CONTROL it.

It might be helpful if you post a picture of what you are describing as a thermostat. Unless it's something like a Zilla model, Hydrofarm, or Herpstat... it might actually be a simple thermometer. In which case, you can still invest in a thermostat, and then rest assured knowing something is regulating your UTH for you! Making your job easier and more fun.

Above all, this is my attempt to be helpful and clarify a potential misunderstanding. Please accept it as advice and nothing more!

[bcr229]

And the under tank heater is simply plugged in and theres no measn of adjusting/ I check it everyyyyday to make sure its not getting too hot.

A UTH can get hot enough to cause a burn in minutes. You really need a thermostat for it. If your local pet store doesn't carry them, a short-term fix until you can order one online is to regulate the UTH with a lamp dimmer switch, those are about $12 at Lowes or Home Depot.

[Eric Alan]

Obviously not! did i say they were? I rescued him from someone who had him in a damp gross basement, and had to purchase everything. I said i was pleased because it hadnt been horribly off. and im asking because ive been told more than once that the heating unit hes got under the tank is usually fine - unless it goes on the frits. IT DOESNT have a way to alter the temperature at which it runs. i have a thermostat. but that only READS the temperature, it doesnt CONTROL it. You didnt offer any advice. Since having a snake, I've actually grown completely sick of the snarky things people say to eachother, simply observing pages and forums. .

Holy smokes. I'm not sure what forums you've been on before this, but I'm sorry you felt my reply was being snarky. Straw that broke the camel's back maybe? I'm honestly just trying to help and if you took my strong recommendation as anything other than that...

Just so we're clear:

• thermometer: a device that measures temperature
• thermostat: a device that controls temperature

The first piece of equipment is what you likely own and are using to measure temperatures. Is it digital? Does it have a probe? Is that probe placed directly on the glass (under the carpet) above where your heat pad is? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then it's likely not giving you accurate measurements of the temperatures your snake will come into contact with. A thermometer is only worth anything if it is used properly.

The second piece of equipment is the most important piece of equipment a person can buy for their snakes. Heat pads don't have a way to alter the temperature at which they run, and by default they all run too hot to be safe for our snakes. This is why I strongly recommended purchasing one before something dangerous happens. You already had stated that it's "usually fine - unless it goes on the frits". Our animals are too important for this to be an area of uncertainty.

A lot of people say "it doesn't feel too hot to me" or "they can't get under the carpet/bedding/etc", so "I didn't think I needed a thermostat". To the first thought, if the glass above the heat pad feels warm to you, remember your skin temperature averages 91, and warm glass means it's definitely over 91. How much over 91 is it? That's what you need a temperature gun or a thermometer with a probe to tell you - and 95 is absolutely too hot. To the second thought - snakes dig. If you can move the things between the snake and the glass, so can your snake. Sooner than later, it will find a way to get itself under the carpet/betting/paper towls/etc and end up laying directly on the glass. Again, this is why it is critical to know the temperature of the glass itself (with a properly used thermometer) and to be able to control that temperature (with a properly used thermostat).

All the best to both you and your newly rescued snake...

[jenneebeebop]

A UTH can get hot enough to cause a burn in minutes. You really need a thermostat for it. If your local pet store doesn't carry them, a short-term fix until you can order one online is to regulate the UTH with a lamp dimmer switch, those are about $12 at Lowes or Home Depot.

thank you! i'll get one. sorry to be snarky, but for real i came here because i felt like i couldnt even ask a question on fb forums or anywhere else without that condescending stuff im just not down for. Im about educating people. I like advice and constructive criticism. i am doing the best i can based on the information im given. Ive consulted a pet shop once a week when i buy anything for any of my pets. I am not entirely naive, and have raised plenty of animals - rats, bats, deer, horses, ducks, robins, cockatiels, raccoons, skunks, rodents of every calibre, every farm animal too and i could go on. like i mentioned before - im a veryy paranoid (for lack of a better word) person, and i assure you i am on the condition of my snake 5 times a day at least- ESPECIALLY because i cant adjust the temperature of the under heating pad, but now that i know there is a way to regulate- i will.
thank you for your kind words of advice once again,
Jennica

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