problem with shed...

[clizardb]

My adult male BP started his shed 2 days ago, and went well except one side of his head. I have noticed that the eye cap is still there, as well as about half of the head. I was wondering if I should use some Scotch tape to remove the eye cap area, or should I just soak him first and see if he can finish on his own?

[Phillip]

Heh, I had the exact same experience this week. My humidity was not correct (70% ish) right before and during his first shed. I let him work of most of the bottom part of his shed and then with advice from the folks here brought myself to soak him in a small rubbermaid, couple holes in top and face cloth in about 1inch water and left it in the warm side of tank for a while.

When I took him out I rubbed him gnetly but firmly with the same luke warm face cloth. I left the had alone as he ws jumpy.

Today I re soaked him and it worked like a charm - I was able to get the head shed off. It was quite traumatic for me as I had to remove the eye caps - but I was surprised to find that once I was working on his head he sat completely still and let me work on him. Once I removed all of it he was indeed a happy chappy. Still, I think it was more stressful for me than him

I don't like the scotch tape idea but I am sure it works.

I am new to this also - sorry I can't be more informative.

[frankykeno]

I have just soaked, never used anything else and it worked for us. I'd check with some long time owners/breeders before messing with anything around a snake's eyes but that's just me.

Glad to hear you got your snake all set Phillip. I know soaking isn't much fun for either you or the snake but it's best gotten over with and hopefully with an adjustment in your humidity, the next shed will be complete and unassisted.


~~Jo~~

[cnyle]

I am new to this to. And Bob is going to shed soon. What should the hudmity be around and how long does it to take for them to shed all the way anything you can add I will greatly appreciate.

[tigerlily]

Welcome to the site. The humidity should be up around 70%, and usually it takes about a week or so for them to shed. Usually the eyes go blue and once they clear it's only a couple of days until they shed. Humid hides are also great to have while in shed. It's a container with an opening. Line with damp moss or damp paper towels. (not wet cause that can lead to belly rot) Instant humid hide. Good luck!

[cnyle]

Now 70% is that all the time or? MIne is lower in the day and higher at night.. I have a screen top does that make a diffrence? i cant spell......I noticed his eyes were cloudy yesterday. So I thought he was about to shed And i should wait to feed him then too is what I heard...

[Smulkin]

No that is not all the time - elevate humidity in prep and during shedding or as Christie mentioned above use a humid hide. Screen top makes a huge difference - allows the warm moist air to escape right out the top (warm air rises and all that) - you might want to consider at least partially covering the outside of the screen lid with something like Con-Tac paper to keep the tank from becoming too arid.

The feeding thing is pretty individual - I have some that won't skip a meal regardless of how far into shed they are (big ole Sesha) and some that uniformly refuse to exhibit any interest in feeding while a shed is so much as impending. If you skip a meal while they shed or just wait until it is over there's no harm in it.

[tigerlily]

Just thought I'd add this other little tidbit, as I found it to be incredibly helpful. When measuring humidity and temps, do NOT use those dials or strips because they are very inaccurate. Go to the local Walmart/Lowes whatever and go to the outdoor thermometer section and get yourself a digital thermometer/hygrometer. These are much more accurate and cost about the same. $12 at Walmart will get you an Accurite thermometer that measures two temps and humidity. They're great and cheap. Something you'd never really think of but they work great.

[cnyle]

Thank you all so much help you have told me about I really appreciate it

[frankykeno]

We offer both snakes their weekly feed whether they are in shed or not. If they take it, they take it...if they don't, no harm no foul. One usually eats her normal amount, the other one may refuse or just eat one mouse instead of two. Since they are both healthy and growing, we don't worry much over one missed meal during a shed.


~~Jo~~