GTP Sheds

[wingl]

My GTP is about a year old now and has shed before, but lately, she's been having problems shedding completely. The humidity is ~80% and the temps are about 85F. Nothings really changed other than the season, but the sheds just aren't coming off as it should. I've been using a spray shed assist and it hasn't helped. I usually just wet the snake down and rub until the rest of it comes off. Any ideas?

P.S. ==>She's also become really picky about her eating habits where she used to take any F/T hopper I placed in front of her.

[Sonyr]

As far as the sheds go, I have an animal that has chronic bad sheds. Most of the shed comes off, but not all of it. I just soak it for a night and it usually comes off.

as far as the eating habits changing, are you sure it's not a male?

[wingl]

I'm just going on what I was told when I bought it. That's all I'm sure of. This was my 1st Chondro so I really didn't know what to expect. None of my other pythons show this amount of change in behavior, only my coubrids. Thanks for the tip.

[marisa]

My GTP has shed four times or so since being in my care and all have been bad sheds, although each one more skin comes off on its own than the time before. I haven't been able to correct this even though my temps, humidity are stable and I mist him directly once per day which he takes advantage of and drinks....I figured since everything on the outside was good, then I'd start getting more water to the inside. So for the past two weeks I have injected his prey with some extra water with a small hypodermic needle.

I will let you know how this goes after he/she sheds again as I have only injected two small prey items so far. :)

Marisa

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

WINGL:

All I can think of is as long as humidity is high and especially during the process of shed from blue to complete. And there are surfaces for the GTP to rub up against like rough perchs, plastic plants, water bowls, and any other decoration you might want to use. Then the GTP naturally will shed some what perfect. Are you monitoring it during its shed - noticing any difficulties it may be having, or was it feed during shed, or are you disturbing it and making it want to finish faster than planned because it goes it defensive mood.

All these factors come into play on a clean shed or a complete shed. Provide lots of humidity, water bowls at least 2, 1 in warm zone 1 in cold zone, and observe alot without disturbing the GTP.

I have kept GTPs for 1.5 years now, not an expert but overall snake experience comes into play on all my animals.

Cya...

Tony

[wingl]

Thanks for the tips. She just ate yesterday for the 1st time in a month. I think she was getting cooked due to the halogen bulb I use in her enclosure. I keep it off now and she just gets the sunlight through the window. She's coming out during the day now also, so I guess the ligt was just too much for her. Thanks again.

[marisa]

Not sure if you are still having your problem but my GTP just shed again and the injecting water is working apparently, he had his first 100% shed with us finally :)

Marisa

[wingl]

Originally posted by marisa
Not sure if you are still having your problem but my GTP just shed again and the injecting water is working apparently, he had his first 100% shed with us finally :)

Marisa

"injecting water"? :confused:

[marisa]

Yes. I have been taking a needle, and injecting water into the mice I feed him. I started doing it after his last bad shed, all the way up until last nights 100% perfect shed.

Marisa

[wingl]

Oooooh..... I thought you were injecting water into the snake!