Ball Python Retained Shed (Petco)

[Thakidd17]

To start of with some background information, I have owned ball pythons in the past. I only own them as pets. When I was about 16 I got my first ball python and absolutely fell in love with snakes. I mean snakes in general. I spend months learning about snakes, specific species native regions, how they feed, etc. Snakes are have always fascinated me. I even spent a few months & owned the setup for about a month before even purchasing my first snake. Anyways, I bought my very first ball python from a Petco despite obvious reasons. Well I ended up purchasing another ball python from a breeder & both snakes were healthy & happy. Never had a problem, never been bite let alone struck at. My ball pythons were clean, alert & rarely ever refused a meal. The ball python I purchased from the Petco was my best feeder she accepted live or frozen thawed without hesitation. Full sheds. They were healthy. Well a lot happened when I was about 18/19 and I ended up selling my snakes and didn't own a snake for over a year. I know this isn't good on my part but despite my head screaming not to buy from Petco I impulsively purchased another snake from Petco. The worse part is I chose the snake with retained shed. It was the one I wanted & I chose to take care of this ball python so regardless of where he/she comes from it's one of my favorite species of snake and I can't let this snake end up dead or trapped in a pet store it's whole life. So please do not rip me for that. I understand what I did, believe me. The ball python has shed stuck on its head, 1 eye cap & under its mouth. I plan on taking it to the vet just to get a check up but I want to give it a week so I can monitor any unusual activity. I have to problems. One, I want to let it get use to its enclosure before handling and stressing it out. Two, I don't want the retain skin to cause it any irritation or cause any future problems. I have checked my ball python out very closely. I placed it on a white cloth to see if I noticed any mites, checked the vent and heat pits were clean (except for the retain skin), examined the the scales closely & made sure it's mouth wasn't abnormal. Should I soak my ball python & use the Q-tip method to remove the skin, should I wait until he/she sheds again or what should I do? I just want my new baby to be happy & healthy & all of this has been on my mind since I got him/her. Anything will help? Is it to soon to hold my snake to get the skin off? He/she is very alert, flicks its tongue normally, etc. Any help? Thank you for taking the time to read all of this. I'm just so in love with my new snake & I'm unexplainably excited to be back in the snake world. I've only had him/her for a little over 24 hours.

[bcr229]

If retained shed and eye caps are the biggest problems with your new ball python from Petco the count yourself lucky. Keep her temps correct and humidity up and most likely she will deal with the stuck shed herself.

If she eats f/t then offer her feeders wet, that will help to rehydrate her also.

[Thakidd17]

Thank you so much!