Shedding Issues + More Questions

[AndrewM1217]

So about 2 weeks ago I posted a thread regarding finding a tail-end piece of shed and not being able to find the rest of my spotted python (baby) shed. I assumed it was buried beneath the substrate somewhere. I had combed the top layers and found nothing, and did not want to disturb the snake by uprooting his entire terrarium. Anyway, I just did a full cleaning and found no shed.

The snake's skin does look a little dull (Although i never noticed the telltale blue eyes), but he hasn't missed a single feeding yet and doesn't mind being handled at all so I don't think there's much of an issue. I figured I would bump up the humidity a little bit so that if the shed hadn't been fully sloughed off, the snake would have an easier time. Even if he did somehow shed fully without me finding it, his next shed should be in a week or two so I thought the humidity couldn't hurt. To do this, I did the following:

-Removed snake from tank and misted the substrate, mixing it about thoroughly so that no one spot would be wet, just a nice damp-ish consistency throughout (don't want to cause scale rot! :( )

-Moved water bowl to the warm side of enclosure

Because of the small size of the terrarium (8x8x8), adjustments had to be made in order to move the water bowl to the other side. I was wondering if this would stress the snake out at all? I simply rotated all the decorations by 90 degrees. Tank has the same format as before, but everything was just shifted 90 degrees (ex: log hide in the back left corner is now in the back right corner, water bowl in front right is now in front left corner). Also, there are still hides on the warm and cool side of the enclosure.

Any advice you can offer is greatly appreciated!

[hissykisses]

Hey!

It would be important to know if the old skin came off or not! Since you have found nothing except the tail piece, it might be that the snake didn't shed at all! In that case you shouldn't wait but find out if the old skin is still on the snake or not. Best way to do that: Soak the snake in warm water for a bit and then let her crawl through a towel.

My boa once shed in a weird way; I had her outside of the tank (not knowing that she was in shed!) and then the old skin just split open on her belly and she got off 1/3 of the skin but the rest stayed on so I bathed her and then slowly, carefully 'rolled' the old skin off of her.

Anyways you have to find out if there's old skin left or not, and if there is, it has to be removed asap.

Ps: My snakes never get stressed when I re-decorate their enclosures and move stuff around. On the contrary: they always are curious and check out the changes instantly.

[AndrewM1217]

Alright, I will try this tomorrow. I fed him yesterday afternoon so I'd like to wait about 48 hours before I pick him up to put him in the warm bath with the towel. Any further advice is welcome!

EDIT: Also it may be worth noting that my snake seems to be spending more time in hiding than usual as of late.

[AndrewM1217]

So right now, the little guy is in a Tupperware container with about 1/8" warm water in the bottom and a nice, warm wet towel. Side's are fogging up quite nicely, so i will update in about an hour or less to let you know if he successfully shed!

[Aaron_S]

For future shed assistance. Dump an entire water bowl of water into the substrate when the snake goes into shed. Re-fill the dish. (no need to mix it)

It's great your mindful of scale rot but in just a couple days of wet they won't get it. Remember, these creatures live their lives on their belly. It isn't as fragile as we sometimes think. Just clean the enclosure fully after the shed.

[AndrewM1217]

For future shed assistance. Dump an entire water bowl of water into the substrate when the snake goes into shed. Re-fill the dish. (no need to mix it)

It's great your mindful of scale rot but in just a couple days of wet they won't get it. Remember, these creatures live their lives on their belly. It isn't as fragile as we sometimes think. Just clean the enclosure fully after the shed.

I'm definitely a big proponent of the notion that people baby their snakes haha :) they come from rugged environments are more equipped for survival than most other animals. Anyway, he's still in the shed tub with no luck yet. His eyes look very foggy though like the caps are lifting up, and his belly has a pink tinge to it

[AndrewM1217]

Alright so after about an hour and a half in the shed tub, still no shed. I'm beginning to think that there's no retained shed after all. There's no flaking, his belly isn't THAT pink (could just be me hoping for a shed :P) and he's very soft to the touch with lots of rainbow light patterns on his skin when he's in the light. Im at a loss

[AndrewM1217]

However, he is still spending a lot of time in his hide compared to before. Although that started happening when I rearranged his tank so I think it might be because of that

[Aaron_S]

I think your snake is going into a shed. If it didn't come off in the bath and there's no visible sign of the shed stuck then just let the snake be for now.

As for the spending more time in the hide, could be due to a shed cycle coming. This is purely a best guess based on the information provided.

[AndrewM1217]

So he's spent the last couple days inside his hide without coming out. Prior to all the events detailed in my first post, he was generally pretty active and always came out aroung 7pm and would stay out for a while. He ate about 4 days ago, but he did not strike at the mouse like usual (although I suspect he simply didn't see it, as he was in his hide and I could not tell where his head was and there have been times in the past when it took me placing it directly in his face for him to realize it was there). I was running late for work so I just set it down in his tank and he ate it before I returned home.

Just wondering If i should take him out and inspect him and see if he's in blue possibly, or just let him be. He's due for another feeding tomorrow, so I might just wait til then to see if he eats readily and try to get a good look at him as he eats.

[Zelg]

So he's spent the last couple days inside his hide without coming out. Prior to all the events detailed in my first post, he was generally pretty active and always came out aroung 7pm and would stay out for a while. He ate about 4 days ago, but he did not strike at the mouse like usual (although I suspect he simply didn't see it, as he was in his hide and I could not tell where his head was and there have been times in the past when it took me placing it directly in his face for him to realize it was there). I was running late for work so I just set it down in his tank and he ate it before I returned home.

Just wondering If i should take him out and inspect him and see if he's in blue possibly, or just let him be. He's due for another feeding tomorrow, so I might just wait til then to see if he eats readily and try to get a good look at him as he eats.

Snake noob here. Just curious why you wouldnt just take him out tomorrow before you feed and inspect him. Otherwise you're going to feed him and not want to move him for another 48 hrs.

[AndrewM1217]

That's not a bad idea. The only reason I wouldn't have done that is because I don't feed him in a separate container, and also because if I feed him usually he lunges out of his hide and I'd be able to get a good look at him anyway without having to disturb him

[AndrewM1217]

So the little guy just shed! And now he's right back to being all over his terrarium. Thanks for the help everyon!

[Zelg]

That's not a bad idea. The only reason I wouldn't have done that is because I don't feed him in a separate container, and also because if I feed him usually he lunges out of his hide and I'd be able to get a good look at him anyway without having to disturb him

Gotcha. Glad things worked out:)