Sand Boa Bad Shed

[TotalDbag]

My sand boa, Onyx had a bad shed and I'm wondering what to do. Pretty much nothing on him came off, except for a tiny patch near his head. I put a damp towel in a tub in his cage. I also tried to soak him yesterday, but he wanted no part in that. He was out as fast as he went in. What other things should I do if the towel doesn't help him? Thanks

Here's the patch I was talking about.

http://i1157.photobucket.com/albums/p584/TotalDbag/6b04b982-576a-4270-a8cc-357168530d51_zpsb04b1ecd.jpg (http://s1157.photobucket.com/user/TotalDbag/media/6b04b982-576a-4270-a8cc-357168530d51_zpsb04b1ecd.jpg.html)

[SSSSnakes]

Make him soak in a Rubbermaid container with a lid. A good soaking and the shed should come right off.

[CK SandBoas]

Here's a few things you can do.....put him in a deli cup that has small holes cut in it, like the ones you use for shipping, put the snake in it, place the deli cup cover on, and place it in the tank, or you can use a damp Q-Tip and slowly start to work the shed off, starting at the head, and working your way to the tip of the tail. Make sure you keep dipping the Q-Tip in water as you go.....

[TotalDbag]

How long should I soak him?

[SSSSnakes]

How long should I soak him?

30 minutes and then try manipulating the the shed off. If it is still stuck on soak him longer.

[TotalDbag]

Hold on. Video isn't done uploading yet.

[xSerpentGoddess]

My Kenyans did bad on aspen. I also found play sand to be too dry. I was having pretty bad shedding problems.
I switched to a 50/50 ish of coconut fiber and play sand mixture. I also overfill the water bowl a bit about once a week. It is just enough moisture to keep them hydrated and shedding well without overdoing it. I never have to soak mine any more.

Be careful working shed off. If it doesn't slid off easily you can sometimes pull scales out.

[Snakesitter]

For now, place some crumped newspaper in the tub you use to soak him. Rubbing up against it sometimes helps.

After soaking, place him in a damp pillowcase in his enclosure. Often, moving around in the case will help them shed.

In general, up your humidity for the future, and add a rock he can rub up against to start the shedding process.

Good luck!

[SSSSnakes]

After soaking, place him in a damp pillowcase in his enclosure.

Never put a snake in a wet pillowcase. The moister can make the pillowcase unbreathable and the snake could suffocate.

[Snakesitter]

Interesting, I've heard that suggestion many times, but never the objection. Thank you for the information.

[Teal]

When I had my sand boa, I gave him a "moist hide"... I cut a hole in the side of a small tupperware with the lid on, placed it upside down, and filled it with moss that I kept damp. I put a few small rocks in there for him to rub on as well... never had a bad shed from him!

I would try soaking him first before trying to help peel the shed off, personally.