My stuck shed remedy

[Skittles1101]

I see countless posts on stuck shed, and I discovered an easy way to remedy those tricky sheds this winter. I figured I'd post it (sticky it if you'd like) so that everyone can refer back to it as needed. Basically what's always suggested is soaking, soaking + pillowcase, or using a crappy pet store shed removal something-or-other. I'm a single mom and a very hard worker, so I don't always have 30-40 minutes to assist with shedding. This winter was very hard up here in Massachusetts as far as humidity goes, so I found myself spending A LOT of time soaking and assisting with sheds. I tried this once, and I don't think I'll ever need to assist shed again.

What you'll need is a tub with lid (appropriate sized, nothing huge). Solder or drill very few air holes, maybe 4-5 on two sides, and that's all max (NONE on the lid!). Don't worry, your snake will be able to breathe

I use newspaper to line the bottom, however I think paper towels will work the same. I then soak the newspaper, usually about 1/4 of water. It should be enough to soak the newspaper, but not enough where it causes puddles. I also try and use warm water, that way you aren't sticking your snake into a cold, wet environment. I usually will add a hide (for the little guys) and a water dish, then just add the snake. I put the tub on top of a UTH (regulated with a thermostat! This is necessary.)

I usually do this at night right before I go to bed. By morning, every single time I've done this, my snakes have worked the shed off themselves. Once it's off, just put them back in their normal homes I find it much easier to allow them to work it off themselves. Don't get freaked out, because of the water there will be condensation on the walls and lid, but this is only temporary. I have not had any issues thus far doing this. Of course if bad sheds become a habit, you should really look into your husbandry and try to fix that instead of having to do this every shed cycle, but it definitely works especially if you're an on-the-go person. I spend enough time having to clean, feed, water, and socialize these guys...less time assisting with sheds = more time cuddling

[dragonboy4578]

Nice explanation Leah. Thanks for the advice.

[wolfy-hound]

That's the same principle of putting them in a pillowcase(dampened) and put into their regular enclosure. I rarely ever have stuck shed, Florida humidity rocks but when I've had any issue in the past, I just bag them in the damp bag and put them back into the regular enclosure so they're nice and warm, just wet crawling inside the bag.

[RestlessRobie]

Great write up thanks for posting

[jben]

I just move the water bowl over the hot spot when they're blue and move back when they're done shedding. My snakes don't have any shedding issues

[DooLittle]

I just move the water bowl over the hot spot when they're blue and move back when they're done shedding. My snakes don't have any shedding issues

This works great for me too. My snakes are in tubs.

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[Skittles1101]

I'll add that all my snakes are either in tubs or a rack system, and in the winter I still have troubling sheds. Like I mentioned in my post, if it's a consistent problem then husbandry should be addressed...

[Evenstar]

I love this idea! To me, it's much easier to do. I don't like the idea of tying them in a pillowcase for some reason. Maybe because the one time Ella had a bad shed, it didn't work.

But I agree that it's best to let the snake work the shed off themselves. They know best how to do it!

And everyone experiences a bad shed once in a while - it happens. As Leah said, if it happens more than twice in a row, you need to look at your husbandry. But if you have a couple of your snakes with stuck shed during a dry winter, well, that's just normal. But it's good to know how to safely and easily help them - the more easily it helps, the less stress is involved too!

[pinkeye714]

When i come across an animal that has stuck shed at work. (Since it is a reptile shop and we cant have animals in tubs. we have to make do with glass tanks) I will usually mist down the warm side once a day and if that fails. Get a bit of sphagnum moss. Wet it nice and place it in the hide with the snake till they come out of blue and shed. Works prefect even for my snakes.

Edit. Also i need pictures~ lol I don't know. makes the whole process of learning this new trick more fun with visual ahah

[Shadera]

I rarely ever have stuck shed, Florida humidity rocks but when I've had any issue in the past, I just bag them in the damp bag and put them back into the regular enclosure so they're nice and warm, just wet crawling inside the bag.

Send some of that humidity my way, please! It hovers around 30% here.