Bath Temperature

[Emily&Jerry]

Yes, I'm neurotic - feel free to make fun of me, I take no offense.

Banana has some stuck shed. She started shedding yesterday morning, and despite all of my best intentions for a good humidity, damp cypress, rocks and warm/moist washcloths for her to rub against (which she HAS!), her shed will not come off. I'm giving her until 5:00 - when I get home.

Since I'm neurotic - what is the temperature of the bath I should use for her? I have a digital thermometer, so I can get it darn near perfect.

After her little soak, I will use a warm washcloth and snuggle her in it so she roams around - she always does, no matter how annoyed.

I just need a good bathing temperature - thanks!

[RichsBallPythons]

Rather soak her, toss her in a wet pillow case, Tie it off so she cant get otu and place back in cage on warm end. Leave her for 45 mins and this will get the shed off or at least loosen it where you can take it off

[Emily&Jerry]

I have heard this. Just need a few more details:

So, the ENTIRE pillow case should be moist and not dripping, yes?

Will she suffocate?

Will her breathing be normal?

Will it hurt her?

Will she attempt to murder me and my entire family once she is let out?

That scares me SO MUCH, LoL... But, if in the vast majority of opinions it is better than the bath, I can suck it up and do it.

[RichsBallPythons]

Its less stressful on her to be in a wet pillow case than in a bath soaking.

She can breath and wont harm her one bit.

[Emily&Jerry]

Thank you. I will make it a slightly smaller pillowcase, that is moist but not dipping, and pre-warmed by her house lights and UTH so she isn't cold.

Banana is very friendly and doesn't mind a thing - even when shedding she snuggles and hugs - so when I put her in the house, I'll put her in the pillowcase.

I'm still reluctant, but do have faith

[kitedemon]

damp not wet! Wet cotton swells and becomes water and air tight. Cotton buckets for example so if you go that way damp not wet. I just soak on the few occasions when I was concerned (bowel issues and rescues with dehydration) I always just soak at 83-88ºf not too cool in the temp range and not too hot.

[Emily&Jerry]

Lovely temperatures.

Thanks guys!

[Ch^10]

One of my males has never had a good shed over the past 6 years--he always needs some type of assistance whether big or small. I've tried every trick in the book; soaking, pillow cases, humid hides, etc. It just does work for him. I'd like to note that none of my other snakes have ever had shed problems.

Anyhow, he finally was able to shed ENTIRELY on his own a couple weeks ago--I was ecstatic and I bet he was too, since I didn't have to assist him.

My trick: a humid hide that is monitored twice daily. I used a tupperware that he could squeeze into, cut a hole in the lid (smoothed edges), and placed a couple of paper towels in the bottom. I proceeded to wet the paper towels and placed the tupperware atop the heat source.

I provided the hide the day I noticed he was in shed and let him go to town. It took him a couple of days, but he was able to shed on his own. Baths are very stressful and the pillowcase trick never worked *for me.* I've done humid hides in the past, but checking moisture content twice daily worked very well.

If you take the bath approach, make sure you actually check the water temp; it should feel "cold-ish" to you. If not, you are going to put your snake through some not fun times.

Good luck!

[Emily&Jerry]

A humid hide - heard about these, and about 3,000 ways to make one - but that sounds pretty easy. I like it.

I've gotten a report from Jerry. Banana was taken out of her house and "hugged" - and by hugged, she crawled in and out of the v-neck on Jerry's shirt. He's always very warm, and she seemed very happy, and got off some skin too!

Strange... but if she was able to work skin off on her own, I'll take strange! So far she's far from normal - even if she's in total shed, she still enjoys being handled and hugged. Go figure....

It's still nice to know of a simple humid hide, and a good temperature to begin with should I need that full-on soak!

[Tarawr88]

I make a humid hide for my adults when I notice them going into shed. I use the Zoo Med Repti-Shelter with Spanish Moss, dampen the moss and place on the warm end of the tank. Always get a nice clean shed from my sweeties.