Having bad sheds...need input on proper humidity

[EyeLashViper]

:? Hey everybody,
Well, the last three sheds that I have had with my Ball Pythons have been bad ones. I have found the snakes partially shed where I have had to assist them to get all the remaining shed off their bodies - I have used this stuff called "Repti-shed Aid" by ZooMed to loosen up the retained shed and to get it off....But my main question is what is it that I am doing wrong in the first place. I suspect that my ambient humidity level is not high enough - I keep it at about 65% but perhaps that is not high enough with an impending shed in the works ???

So far it seems that they have not had any problem with shedding around the eyecap but the first third of the snakes body has been all in tatters of a bad shed...and I find scraps of shed all over the enclosure as well.

I don't like this at all...suggestions...????

[Brandon.O]

try a bigger water dish, or mist the cage a couple times a day and cover the tank with somthing (like saran wrap) to keep all the moisture in)

[mlededee]

try raising the humidity at the first sign of shed--pink belly, bluish, cloudy eyes. somewhere between 70-80% is good. you can also soak them a few times after their eyes cloud up to assist them in shedding.

[EyeLashViper]

Yes...that sounds like good ideas from the both of you...thankyou very much...I think I will have to start soaking the snakes in this stuff called "ShedEase" that I have seen....give them a good long soak when it seems that the shed is imminent...got to tighten up my husbandry on this aspect....I am rather ashamed of myself that I am having probs with this...
EyeLashViper

[Brandon.O]

no prob,i also had a few probs gettin my hunidity but it all worked out and i have a perfect shed to prove it about the products, i dont know much about them, and i dont use them, roxy seems to shed fine by herself and when she didnt i would put her in water and then help her with getting some of the skin off,maybe try that before usin that stuff.

dont be ashamed ! everyone has a few little problems to work out sometimes ! you will get it ! . Heck, i did and if i could do it ANYBODY can

[mlededee]

i've used the shed aid stuff for my lizards before and it worked really well. i'd imagine it would be about the same with snakes--but you shouldn't really need it if you get the humidity right and perhaps soak them in just plain water like brandon said.

[rex322]

humidity should be 70-80% during shed times. but that still doesnt garuntee a perfect shed

[Brandon.O]

right,it usually takes a few times (sheds) in the right conditions for it to be a good one

[led4urhead]

EyeLashViper ... dont be ashamed man. We all go through bad sheds from time to time, esp with new additions. Your first shed with a new addition has more to do with the snakes husbandry before they came to you rather than your husbandry. As far as soaking goes, when i need to soak i use some tepid water ( not warm to my touch ... better to measure with digi thermometer tho ) approx 80 degrees or so. I also use ( from time to time ) a little unscented Dove soap. It doesnt have any of the fragrances or oils that might cause some problems. I've never used "ShedEase" and have heard mixed reviews on it. Good luck and let us know what happens.