Shead Problems

Mike177 · 07-14-04, 12:21 AM

Hi, today when i went to go peek in on my ball python he had an unsecsesfull shead, again. i dont really remember a time when he had a shead in one pice, i keep him in my shead were the humidity never drops below 50 but usally stays at 60, there is a water dish in his cage and i mist the cages from time to time, so its safe to say the humidity it right, the temps are right on, there is a hide spot on boath sides of the cage, and one of his hide spots also acts as something for him to rub on, i dont know why he never sheads correctly so i figured this would be the best place to ask.

Thanks,
Mike

Tim_Cranwill · 07-14-04, 01:51 AM

Well, the first question that comes to mind is: What is he housed in? If you're misting "every so often", is that humidity staying in the enclosure (i.e. a Rubbermaid) or is it escaping through the roof within minutes (i.e. a screen-top tank)?

Even with a screen-top tank, if you provide a humid hide when you notice your snake going into a shed cycle, the snake should shed fine. Same goes for a Rubbermaid…

To make a humid hide, just get a moisture retaining container of some sort, be it a margarine container or a sandwich container, provide an entrance hole and fill it with a damp medium like paper towel, vermiculite or sphagnum moss and etc.

Easy as pie and it should solve the problem the next time he sheds.

Kamiko322 · 07-14-04, 09:28 AM

I use a cool whip bowl and Bounty paper towels. It stays humid about 60-70 and mine still has a bad shed. Everything is text book she still has bad sheds. They seem to be getting better as she gets older. I hope she clears up!

BoidKeeper · 07-14-04, 09:42 AM

Bad sheds can also be caused by a snake that is dehydrted. Make sure the snake always has clean fresh water.
As for getting the retained skin off place the snake inside a tight plastic container while wrapped inside a damp towl. Place the container back in the cage and leave it over night. The next morning you'll have a clean snake and a dirty towl. By doing it this way you don't have to pick at the snake to take of the skin. The snake rubs against the towl and the skin comes off naturally.
Cheers,
Trevor

mykee · 07-14-04, 01:42 PM

You can never assume that because you mist that the humidity is correct, in fact, your snake has proven to you that it is not by not shedding properly. 60-70% is not enough humidity for a snake to properly shed. I would aim for 80+% humidity constantly until he sheds. I would also put a hygrometer on the ground of his enclosure just to keep you on the ball so to speak. If you can't remember the last time he had a perfect shed (it is common for most balls to shed properly if all husbadry is met) then I would do my very best with that humidity the next time, and all the advice above, improper sheds can be a potential health hazard.

Mike177 · 07-14-04, 07:44 PM

thanks for the replys, i have used a humid hide with him before and it didnt work, my worry is that it might be somethng other than humidity. i have also soaked him in water when he is in pre-shead and that hasnt woked eather. im going to put my digi hygrometer in there with just his water bowl just to see what it is normaly, ill post it when i get it.