BP issues shedding

[LaudijMom]

Hi there!


I inherited a beautiful boa constrictor from my son about a year ago. Since owning Monty, he has become a very amazing snake and I have had no issues with him, other than being a tad defensive when someone enters his space, until this month. He normally sheds very well but this time around he seems to be having issues. His enclosure is a glass tank that is more than large enough for him. I have followed all the advice I've found online in regards to how to set him up. He has both warm and cool ends, a hide on each end, as well as a moist hide in the middle, put in for his shedding process. I have a thermostat monitored heating pad under his warm hide with substrate between him and the glass so he doesn't burn. I had a humidity monitor until it broke, will be replacing soon, and was keeping his tank at the correct level for good shedding. I feel like I've done well in setting up his home for him. However, now it seems he's in trouble and I don't know how to help.


I know normally they hide out in their hides during shedding, however, Monty has always been an active fellow, moving about and whatnot. This shed he has barely left his warm hide, which is most likely dryer than what he needs to help with the shedding process and is not using any of the moisture provided for him. He has let go of some skin, but I have noticed that around his head, which is all he lets me see these days, he has not shed anything other than a small amount on his snout and around one eye. Monty does not like being handled very much and I know at this time it's not good to do so, and I am starting to worry about him. Can anyone advise me on how to properly help him?

[Lord Sorril]

The title of the post is: BP Issues Shedding --- BP = Ball Python
I do not work with Boas so I can't comment on those.

If this is a Ball Python with the issue: I would eliminate hot/cold sides and create an ambient (air temp) of 80F in the entire enclosure (hot surface spot of 90F by UTH) and add a water bowl large enough for the snake to fully submerge in. If the ball python does not soak willingly I would drop him in the water bowl every few days until the shed comes off.

[GoingPostal]

You can handle him, he's done with the shed cycle and now has stuck shed from the sounds of it. You can try a couple of things, you can put him in a container with water coming about halfway up his side for 15-30 minutes, water should be around 80 degrees. You can wet a pillowcase with warm water and place him inside, tie the top and put him back in the cage, come back in an hour or so. These probably won't remove all of the shed, but as long as it's off mostly, cleared off his eyes and tip of tail especially then it'll come off with the next shed or by itself eventually, not a huge worry. Or you can run a warm wet cloth down his body after the soaks but since you said he didn't like handling it may be less stress not to. You also need to raise the ambient humidity in the cage, if he's shedding that poorly then it's definitely not a healthy level for him and puts him at risk for RI's and illnesses. Maybe a pic of it and we could advise some changes that could help?

[LaudijMom]

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I will see what I can do in regards to eliminating 2 sides and find something to use for a larger water bowl. He does like dragging himself through the one he has now so maybe that will help.

[LaudijMom]

Thank you for your suggestions! I will try a larger water bowl for a couple days along with more humidity and see if that helps. If not, then I'll try your other suggestions. I would love to post a pic of him, however, he doesn't really come out enough for me to get one. I'll see if I can at least get one of his head as this is my biggest concern at the moment.