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  1. #1
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    Post 1 inch Piece of Skin by the Head Still on Skiddish BP After Shed...HELP!?!?!

    We've had "Hunter" for about a month and are new snake owners. He is about 22-24 inches long. Due to schedules (the snakes and ours LOL) he's been held only twice in this time and the most recent time exhibited very skiddish behavior. I moved my hand rather fast and he ducked and tried to get away...he's VERY fast! He is not used to being held much at all.
    My problem is this: He shed his skin (about 98% of it) about 6 days ago. However, there is a small 1" x 1" piece that remains and it's about 2 1/2" - 3" away from his head, and then there is also a 1/8" x 1/8" piece just behind his head that remains. I put a damp wash cloth in his enclosure hoping he'd use it to rub the rest off. He never touched it. I also let him soak in warm water for about 15 minutes, but that didn't help either. Is it ok to leave those pieces alone or do I need to take him out and remove it by hand?
    I'm trying to get him accustomed to being held (albeit slowly) but I also don't want him to become scared of people by being too aggressive taking the excess skin off when he's not used to being handled. Any ideas?
    ANY suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thx in advance!

  2. #2
    BPnet Lifer Vypyrz's Avatar
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    Re: 1 inch Piece of Skin by the Head Still on Skiddish BP After Shed...HELP!?!?!

    When you handle him, slow hand movements are best. Also, try to bring your hands up from the bottom, not from the top.

    The next time that you handle him, you can try letting him crawl through a warm, wet towel or washcloth, to help remove the skin. Just don't squeeze too hard. Or, you can just wait for it to come off with the next shed...
    "Cry, Havoc! And let slip the dogs of war..."

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    BallLuvinNaNa (06-19-2012)

  4. #3
    Registered User apple2's Avatar
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    Re: 1 inch Piece of Skin by the Head Still on Skiddish BP After Shed...HELP!?!?!

    I'd just wait for it to come off on its own. For handling, most snakes are head-shy when you get them. You just need to handle them enough so that they are comfortable with you and it usually goes away on its own.

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    BallLuvinNaNa (06-20-2012)

  6. #4
    BPnet Veteran Sky1982's Avatar
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    I have the same problem with my spider right now. Half of his head (left side) didn't shed Including his eye cap. I'm just going to wait till his next shed and hopefully it will be a complete shed next time.

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    Re: 1 inch Piece of Skin by the Head Still on Skiddish BP After Shed...HELP!?!?!

    Quote Originally Posted by Sky1982 View Post
    I have the same problem with my spider right now. Half of his head (left side) didn't shed Including his eye cap. I'm just going to wait till his next shed and hopefully it will be a complete shed next time.
    Awesome!! Not that he didn't shed completely! Awesome that you have a spider! What kind is it?
    Thanks for the share too!

  9. #6
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    Re: 1 inch Piece of Skin by the Head Still on Skiddish BP After Shed...HELP!?!?!

    Quote Originally Posted by apple2 View Post
    I'd just wait for it to come off on its own. For handling, most snakes are head-shy when you get them. You just need to handle them enough so that they are comfortable with you and it usually goes away on its own.
    Thanks for the advice. Hopefully, I can get him to the point where he trusts me and doesn't mind being handled. The last time I held him...I raised my arm too fast and when he shied away from me it reminded me of when trying to pet a dog that has been physically abused by someone. He cowered. I felt so bad.

  10. #7
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    Re: 1 inch Piece of Skin by the Head Still on Skiddish BP After Shed...HELP!?!?!

    Quote Originally Posted by Vypyrz View Post
    When you handle him, slow hand movements are best. Also, try to bring your hands up from the bottom, not from the top.

    The next time that you handle him, you can try letting him crawl through a warm, wet towel or washcloth, to help remove the skin. Just don't squeeze too hard. Or, you can just wait for it to come off with the next shed...
    So, leaving a couple of pieces that small is ok and it shouldn't hurt him?

  11. #8
    BPnet Veteran Sky1982's Avatar
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    He'll be fine if you leave him till next shed. Just make sure you bump up the humidity next time he goes into shed.

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    BallLuvinNaNa (06-20-2012)

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