Bad shed! :(. :(

[Lankyrob]

Ok, so i have my SD retic setup as we have previously discussed on here. 92.5f hot end and humidity at 75% - 85% (goes up to 85when i mist in the morning, following morning it is around 75).

He has had his first shed with us overnight and it is awful just loads of tiny bits. His eye caps are gone and the tip of tail is clean, remaining bits are mainly along his flanks.

I got him out to check his eyes and tail and have run him through a damp flannel this morning and will continue to check over the next couple of days but any advice regarding husbandry greatly appreciated.

One thing i did realise this morning which really p***** me off is that i totally forgot to put any sphagnum moss in his viv, dont ask me why! All my snakes have a moss hide but for whatever reason he didnt!!

[presspirate]

I've yet to have a bad shed, but from what I have heard and read, get a pillow case wet, and stick him in there, tie it in a knot and let him slither around in that for a while. Good luck Rop. Post some pics!

[Lankyrob]

Got no problem getting this shed sorted, just wondering if i can do anything apart from adding the additional moss to ensure it doesnt happen again?

[presspirate]

Well, in my experience, the moss generally does the trick. But I mist daily as well. Usually, when shed time comes my snakes will spend all of their time in the humid hide until they have shed.

[Lankyrob]

Thanks, am feeling kinda peeved that i neglected to put any moss in for this guy :( will give him another check in the morning and repeat the damp towel if needed and hope that next shed is better.

[shaunyboy]

my lot dont have any specific humidity needs but a rescue i had once shed like that

i just put it in a warm bath for 15 minutes and rubbed the bad shed off with the palm of my hand

the main thing rob is the eye caps and tail have shed

i know you forgot the moss but you have not had the retic very long so it could also be down to previous husbandry

this is all just my thoughts mate i have had no experience with retics

cheers shaun

[Lankyrob]

Hadn't thought about previuos husbandry affecting the shed, he did go "blue" not that long after he came home so could be the reason.

Most of the skin is off now, he is using the humid hide a lot and each morning i get him out and run him through a damp towel. Its coming off fairly easy, just a small patch on his flank left now.

Will try to get some pic of him soon with his new skin, he has a rainbow shimmer to him like a BRB, really beautiful tho prob wont show in pics u fortunately.

[shaunyboy]

Hadn't thought about previuos husbandry affecting the shed, he did go "blue" not that long after he came home so could be the reason.

Most of the skin is off now, he is using the humid hide a lot and each morning i get him out and run him through a damp towel. Its coming off fairly easy, just a small patch on his flank left now.

Will try to get some pic of him soon with his new skin, he has a rainbow shimmer to him like a BRB, really beautiful tho prob wont show in pics u fortunately.


im looking forward to pic's of the big guy in his new skin mate

cheers shaun

[Lankyrob]

He fed today, will ask him if he would like his picture taken toward end of the week!

[Will0W783]

Retics can be tough with shedding, especially if his previous husbandry was off. When I got my SD, Baby, the previous owner said she hated water and always had bad sheds. When she goes into blue I mist with a humidifying tropical reptile spray every other day and she's been much better. She usually tears her shed getting it off, but always completely sheds within an hour and I haven't had any stuck eyecaps.

[Lankyrob]

Cool, cheers willow. Will keep my fingers crossed for the next shed being better! His is literally 99% clear of stuck pieces now and fed today as well so hopefully all good for the future.

[bighog85]

The biggest thing you can do for retics is when they go blue just mist the crap out of them until they shed. They need it pretty humid all of the time but this is key to getting them to shed properly. That coupled with the humid hide should remedy the problem. Good luck with yours. I've been gone a while so I didn't know that you had gotten one. Be careful because retics are absolutely addicting! Amazing snakes with individual personalities. Have fun!

[dragunov.762]

how long have you had the retic? i have a feeling the stress plays a factor in shedding though i have no hard proof of this. 3 of my 5 snakes have had bad sheds there first time with me regardless of husbandry. my newest corn i had in 80% - 95% humidity for 2 days and her shed was like you described while my other corn sheds fine with no specific humidity. after their first shed however i have never again had a problem (my newest corn hasn't shed 2ce with me yet so i hope she does not prove me a liar)

[Lankyrob]

I had the retic for about a week when the eyes went blue (i think, not sure on exact dates). He had a couple of four year olds holding him yesterday, i had the head and about ten inches of body and they had the rest. He is so freaking gentle and placid and almost at the point where when i open the viv he climbs up my arm, curently he will come to the front of the viv so i can pick him up easy rather than hiding like my other snakes.

[SnakeyJay]

wow that sounds amazing!! if only i had the room and experience for one.. ill have to go see your collection at some point rob

[Lankyrob]

Well if you are down this way getting a carpet then let me know, should be able to rustle up a cuppa!!

[SnakeyJay]

lol yeh maybe... ill bring the biscuits n we'll have a party

[Lankyrob]

We must be getting old if a cuppa and biscuits constitutes a party!!! ;) :) ;)

[presspirate]

Forgive my new world ignorance, but what the heck is a cuppa?

[Lankyrob]

Cuppa tea - cup of tea!! (or coffee!)

[SnakeyJay]

hahahahaha im 22, just love a brew or 50 in a day.

[presspirate]

Cuppa tea - cup of tea!! (or coffee!)
Got it! I'm having a cuppa right now. No biscuits though. Are they like pastries or something?

[Lankyrob]

Guess you would call biscuits "cookies"? I dunk biscuits in tea and coffee too!