Shedding Problem..Please Help.

[Amanismomma]

My BP is having serious shedding problems and I can't figure out why. I got him about 2 months ago and he shedded about a week after I got him. It was not a perfect shed. It came off in a few pieces and little bits remained for a few weeks after but eventually everything came off. I figured it was due to low humidity or the water bowl not being large enough. Anyway, I fixed all of that. Good heat in the tank, humidity always between 55 and 70%, large bowl for soaking. So I figured that this next shed should be perfect. He soaked in his bowl off and on for about a week before the shed and humidity was good. Last night when I went to bed I noticed that he was starting his shed (rubbing his head on his log). This morning I checked on him and he had only shed his head skin!! There has not been any sign of mites on him or in his water bowl and the humidity and temps are good so I don't understand why he isn't shedding right and I'm worried. Can anyone offer me any help or advice?? I would appreciate it. Thanks.

[JoshJP7]

What are you using to measure the humidty?? Is it digital or one of the stick-on ones from the store?? If its not digital my guess is your getting a false reading... Most... not all ...BP's wont soak in their water dish if humidity is where it needs to be so my guess is your humidity is too low... Is he in a glass tank or plastic tub? ... If your using a digital then maybe you just need to give it another day... A lot of times my snakes will shed their head and the body shed will be together in one piece separate.

[SatanicIntention]

He likely has a stuck shed and needs a soak.

Try using a small tub, such as a sterilite shoebox tub with a lid. Put about 1/2 of water and some paper towels in the bottom(add enough water so the papertowels don't soak it all up). Put snake in, close the lid, secure it somehow, and then put the whole thing in the snake's enclosure on the warm side. Leave for an hour and see how he's doing. You can do this once per day until the shed is off, or until the parts encircling the body are off(tail tip, shed that acts like a belt, eyecaps).

It should all come off in that hour, but if it doesn't, just take a warm, wet washcloth and let him crawl through it.

[Amanismomma]

Thanks for the responses. He's in a glass tank. And yea I dont have a digital humidity gauge. Does that go for temp gauge too? should i get a digital one? So it could also be cooler in the tank than I think it is as well?

[SatanicIntention]

Yep, need a digital thermometer/hygrometer. Those dial-types can sometimes be up to 20 degrees off. :eek:

WalMart has a nice digital thermometer made by Acu-Rite. It will measure two different temperatures(your warm and cool side) and the relative humidity. They are in the outdoor thermometer section, in hardware. They run about $12.

Your temps should be running between 92-94 on the warm side and 82-84 on the cool side with around 50-60% humidity(higher during shed). Temps should stay constant 24/7, no night drops.

Try soaking him in the small plastic tub for an hour, it works wonders.

[Brimstone111888]

Ya I would recommend getting a digital. I have used both and my analog was about 10-20% off from what the digital was. You can buy a Accurite Thermometer and Hygrometer(humidity) for $12. It also has a prob that you can use to measure the belly heat on the warm side. I found mine near the gardening or outdoor section, since it is considered an indoor outdoor thermometer.

Edit: Was a minute too slow!