Need help with a shedding question

[r_rod10]

Ok, so my bp is in shed, but it's not coming off very well. This weekend, Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday we were away for my son's soccer tournament so I could not monitor his humidity. Before I left I made sure that his humidity was good. I misted real well, made a humid hide, and put a damp towel on top of the screen. When I walked out the door his humidity was at 99% because I knew it would slowly come down while we were gone. Anyhow, I came in late last night and checked on him. His humidity was at around 55% and he had started to shed little pieces. I re-misted and covered the tank with a damp towel. Today he has shed his tail part and his underside, but not the top part of him. He also has a bit on the top of his head. At this point should I soak him for about 30 minutes in warm water and then let him slide through a damp towel? Or should I just let him be for another day or so. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I would give him another day then try the pillow case trick.

Take a illowcase and dampen it with warm water (water temp in the mid 80's) do the same to a washcloth or hand towel and then place into the pillowcase. Put your BP into the pillow case then tie a knot in the open end of the pillowcase making sure that you don't tie any part of the snake into the knot. Place the pillow case on the hot side of his/her cage and wait 30 minutes.

[snakesRkewl]

This is why I believe humid hides and a large water bowl are better than spraying an enclosure.
Up with the humidity...down with the humidity...up with the humidity, over and over and over.

A large water bowl that you can put on or under a heat source will provide enough humidity for a good shed.
A hide that you can keep moist for the snake to crawl into when it feels the need for higher humidity.

[kitedemon]

I also like humid hides easier if you have problems. It also is a possibility your hygrometer is inaccurate. Not one of my 11 ever have issues shedding at 55% so if that is the lowest you had over the ten days of cycle it seems odd. I am guessing the snake is 100% healthy? Bad sheds can happen when a snake is unhealthy regardless of humidity.

The pillow case method must be used with caution. Some cotton weaves when wet are air tight. My vet tech has seen multiple suffocated snakes from wet pillow cases. I personally would not use this way and just a soak in mid 80 degree water and let the snake manage. (not too deep water just half way up the snakes sides)


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[CDs Ball Pythons]

Large water bowls have worked well for us. Keeps the humidity up 100% of the time rather than having the peaks and valleys of smaller humidity sources.

[r_rod10]

Thanks for all the different suggestions to help with this shed issue. All is fine now. I soaked him for about 45 minutes in mid 80's lukewarm water with a towel in there, and then took him out and let him slide through the damp towel. All old skin came off perfectly. He is so nice and bright now. Again, thanks for all the help.

[darthkevin]

Woot! Happy for you, every one has a bad shed every once in a while. Maybe a fogger hooked to a timer or a humidistat will help it from happening again.


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