Shedding problems

[crony74]

So I've had my Little guy for about two weeks now and he is already shedding. I have been having trouble keeping the humidity up in his enclosure. I could tell right away he was having a bad shed so after two days I tried the soaking method which worked great but only for the last 2/3 of his body. He still has stuck shed on the top of his entire head, not under the bottom jaw and around his body about 4 inches or so down his body. I think the body skin will come off with another soak hopefully. I'm concerned about his head and eye caps. Help what do I do? He really hates his head being touched and stresses easily.

[Regius_049]

You mention humidity problems - what is the humidity level in his cage?

Start off conservatively at first, I would continue soaking him while you are observing visible progress. The head is always tricky. After soaking to get the body skin off, I would try submerging the head for maybe 5 brief periods (he will likely not enjoy this) then leave him in his enclosure with a very moist hide (spagnum moss) and see if he is able to get it off on his own.

If conservative therapy doesn't work, you will have to be more aggressive. There are two ways to go about this: (1) The easier way is to find an experienced reptile vet and have them assist. (2) The second is that you will likely have to physically remove it. You are going to have to be rougher than you are going to like as far as restraining the snake. If you do not firmly restrain him, you are likely to let the snake flail or repeatedly lose your grip, prolonging the process and leading to an overall larger amount of stress on the animal.

Here is a video showing you the "last resort" method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssWztvKW180

[Ratikal]

When I habe a humidity problem, especially in the winter. I use a damp heated towel over the top of the enclosure opposite the heating lamp (not touching for fires sake). Microwave a soaked dish towel for about 1:30 ( a min thirty) and its an instant 75-85% humidity...only during shedding. I do soak the animal if necessary but I never submerge, its extremely stressful and kind of risky. After a soak, I've used a damp towel and coerced the dead shed off with a light rub but never pulling the shed...

[KMG]

Don't soak.

Just add moist moss to the hides.

https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Terra...s=Zoo+med+moss

[crony74]

The Humidity has Been low, Between 30-40%. As I said I've only had him 2 weeks and have been trying different things to try and help. I got a much larger water bowl-7x7 inches and 2 inches deep. I have been trying to put different things on the hood to reduce the amount of open space. I changed the substrate from aspen chip bedding to eco-earth coconut. I have been resorting to misting the cage a few times a day which gets the humidity up to 70% but doesn't last long. I ordered an enclosed hide that has moss that goes in it to keep damp but it hasn't arrived yet with the holiday holding up shipping. When I soaked him I left him in for 20-25 minutes then put him in a towel and let him gently slither out and that worked really well. the skin left on the neck really didn't soak though because he spent the whole time trying to get out ( I had a lid on the tub but could see him through the side). He really didn't seem to enjoy the soak but seems to realize i'm trying to help when I hold him which is only for a few minutes so he doesn't get to stressed.

[crony74]

Thank you for the advice this is my first snake.

[Zincubus]

You mention humidity problems - what is the humidity level in his cage?

Start off conservatively at first, I would continue soaking him while you are observing visible progress. The head is always tricky. After soaking to get the body skin off, I would try submerging the head for maybe 5 brief periods (he will likely not enjoy this) then leave him in his enclosure with a very moist hide (spagnum moss) and see if he is able to get it off on his own.

If conservative therapy doesn't work, you will have to be more aggressive. There are two ways to go about this: (1) The easier way is to find an experienced reptile vet and have them assist. (2) The second is that you will likely have to physically remove it. You are going to have to be rougher than you are going to like as far as restraining the snake. If you do not firmly restrain him, you are likely to let the snake flail or repeatedly lose your grip, prolonging the process and leading to an overall larger amount of stress on the animal.

Here is a video showing you the "last resort" method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssWztvKW180

Whilst I normally agree with most things to suggest ( check your LIKES ) and I agree with the idea of a quick soak for helping with a very stubborn shed , I would NEVER physically restrain or use any kind of heavy force to remove the stubborn skin .
I daren't watch the video.

In the past I've given Royals a 20 minute soak in a sealed container in 'snake' temp water then I take a wet , rough textured towel and let the snake slither through the towel , whilst applying very , very gentle pressure . Every time the head pops out cover it with the towel and continue for a while . All the skin comes off on the towel due to the rough texture . This works 99.9% of the time in my experience .


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[redshepherd]

The Humidity has Been low, Between 30-40%. As I said I've only had him 2 weeks and have been trying different things to try and help. I got a much larger water bowl-7x7 inches and 2 inches deep. I have been trying to put different things on the hood to reduce the amount of open space. I changed the substrate from aspen chip bedding to eco-earth coconut. I have been resorting to misting the cage a few times a day which gets the humidity up to 70% but doesn't last long. I ordered an enclosed hide that has moss that goes in it to keep damp but it hasn't arrived yet with the holiday holding up shipping. When I soaked him I left him in for 20-25 minutes then put him in a towel and let him gently slither out and that worked really well. the skin left on the neck really didn't soak though because he spent the whole time trying to get out ( I had a lid on the tub but could see him through the side). He really didn't seem to enjoy the soak but seems to realize i'm trying to help when I hold him which is only for a few minutes so he doesn't get to stressed.

It must be really dry where you live! Don't worry, lining the inside of the hide with damp moss will fix this. Ball pythons spend a lot of time in the hide, especially before a shed. Once you have a humid hide, it's alright if the rest of the enclosure is too dry.

[blue roses]

If Your house is very dry, you can add a zoo-med reptifogger on a timer to get the humidity up. Set the timer for a 15 min 3 times daily, or 4 times during shed if you need more. I also use moss in the tanks, and cypress mulch to keep up humidity. The reptifogger is sold at most pet stores, i got both of mine at petco. I use one for each BP tank, and they work well.