Help Shed

skittish · 12-05-02, 08:43 AM

My Corn is about to shed. Last shed 4 weeks ago was not completely successful tail didn't shed properly. I gave her a warm bath and helped remove remaining skin once it loosened.
Her eyes turned blue yesterday she usually shed four days later. She's been in her hide 24hrs now cool end.
This is what I have done today covered half the vents on viv changed drinking water twice a day lighty misted the viv to slighty increase humidity. Introduced a fresh pot of damp moss.
Is there anything else I can do to her enviroment to help make the shedding process successfull for her.
She gets very secretive and goes of her food about a week before her shed this is normal isn't it???

Your advice will be appreciated...Thanks

Scotty Allen · 12-05-02, 09:07 AM

Sounds like you have everything covered. If your snake is remaining at the cool end of the cage, put the "pot of damp moss" at that end for her. Is the container of moss covered so she will feel secure in it? I would check your temperatures if the snake is remaining at the cool end, the snake may be too warm.

Yes, it is quite normal for a snake to go off food a week or so before shedding.

Big Mike · 12-05-02, 09:13 AM

Sounds normal to me...some snakes don't change their behavior much when shedding but some really change a lot. The best thing is to leave her alone and mist the enclosure a few times daily. I don't think you need to change the drinking water twice a day...(if that's what you meant)

skittish · 12-05-02, 09:14 AM

Temp gradiant 75F - 86F is that about right???
One other thing I do use CalciSand as a substrate, could this have any bearing??
The moss is not covered but there's enough for her to bury herself in to hide which is what she usually does.

Rainey · 12-05-02, 10:00 AM

Calcisand is a very unrecomended substrate for corns. It's very very dry, corns do not live in desserts. Calcisand can dry out their skin so fast.

That's where I think some of your probs are... IMHO

Scotty Allen · 12-05-02, 10:04 AM

By all means, get rid of the calci-sand. A better substrate would be some type of mulch (don't know what's available across the pond), or paper towel or newsprint. A covered container of moss would be better, and retain humidity better. Your temps look just fine.

I agree with "Rainey", lose the calci-sand and I bet you'll solve most of your shedding problems.

skittish · 12-05-02, 10:24 AM

Thanks guys.

You've basically confirmed my suspicions about substrate.
There is several wood chip substrates available here perhaps I should change to that. I'm a little reluctant to make the change before she sheds don't really want to disturb her right now...what do you think???

I have taken Scotty's advise and put a vented lid on moss pot with an access point in the side.
Do you think a warm bath once her eyes clear this time would help.??

Big Mike · 12-05-02, 10:45 AM

Yes...get rid of the calci-sand.

The bath might help but might also stress her while she's in preshed. Mist quite often and bath after she sheds if there is any retained skin.

Wood chips are OK...but ~ NO CEDAR ~ it can be toxic. Aspen is good. Newspaper or paper towels are cheap and easy to clean.

Rainey · 12-05-02, 10:46 AM

warmth has nothing do do with the quality of the bath. Always try to get the temp as close as possible to your own body temperature if not just slightly cooler. Even if it's just a bit warm to the touch it's too hot for your corn

As for changing the substrate, I would suggest doing it soon in order to aid the shed. I'm sure you can do it without pissing off your corn too much.

Aspen is probably the most widely used substrate aside from paper. It is very safe and can retain some moisture. IMHO

josefg · 12-05-02, 10:53 AM

Also if you use any substrate other than paper towels or newspaper, be sure to feed your snakes into another container so that they won't swallow any substrate.

tai_pan1 · 12-06-02, 08:56 AM

I've used ground coconut husk as a substrate for a year successfully. The corns can burrow in it, and I haven't yet had a shed problem (knock on wood).

skittish · 12-09-02, 08:30 AM

Just a little update.
Thanks for all your advice guys.
Action taken:-
Changed substrate to Aspen
Covered Moss Pot
Introduced third hide to viv mid point.

She shed completely successfully 6am Saturday Morning took less than 10 minutes a new record for her.
skin complete eye caps tail tip the lot all in tact.

Accepted one small mouse 30 minutes after shed.
Just lately she's become a lazy feeder she doesn't strike anymore.
Just crawls up sniff and gobble it up.
Is this because she's suddenly realised that the food is already dead???

Anyway she's retired to her hide haven't seen her for last 2 days guess she's exhausted after all the activity of weekend.

Still amazed at how pretty they are after they shed.
Anyway thanks again guys for your help.
Snake and keeper well happy again.

eyespy · 12-09-02, 10:37 AM

Great news on the complete shed and good appetite. Thanks for the update.

Yeah, she probably doesn't feel the need to strike at or squeeze a non-living thing but who knows, sometimes they start striking again later on.

Rainey · 12-09-02, 10:39 AM

That's awesome Skittish! Glad to hear everything went well!

I think it depends on their mood whether they stike or just sniff and bite. My corns do both, I don't know what prompts them to do one and not the other, but either way, I'm happy they eat.

My normal is due to shed today or tomorrow. I can't wait to see her beautiful colors! My baby snow shed last week and it's so amazing to see the pigment gradually showing up! They are amazing creatures!