Chondro seems to lazy to shed?

brooklynboy521 · 07-02-13, 06:56 PM

Maybe somebody with a little more GTP experience can shed some light on my problem. Mary Jane, my chondro has always had okay sheds. This last shed however, she hasn't even made an attempt to get any of it off. She is sitting there perched like she normally does with the bottom of the shed flaking off. She has been like this now for 3 days or so. I don't know but is there any way to induce shedding? I want her to get it all off. The temp in the hot spot is about 85-88 and the humidity is 75 when the mister isn't on and near 100 when it is.

TL; DR: Chondro seems to lazy to shed.

**lady_bug87** · 07-02-13, 07:02 PM

How long has she been like that?

brooklynboy521 · 07-02-13, 07:06 PM

"She has been like this now for 3 days or so." ^^ lol

**lady_bug87** · 07-02-13, 07:10 PM

Oh sorry I must have skipped that part. It's pretty weird for her to just sit like that. What you can try is getting a small bin, put a perch inside for her, fill the bottom third with water and set it over a heat mat (thermostatted)

It should loosen the skin. It may take a couple of hours or so

**Aaron_S** · 07-02-13, 10:28 PM

I would double check your humidity and whatever instrument you use to check it.

It's probably faulty. Snakes aren't normally too lazy to shed if there's no other problems (generally they still do even with problems though). It's possible the humidity is lower than you're seeing it and she just couldn't do it when she was supposed to.

Amadeus · 07-02-13, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

I would double check your humidity and whatever instrument you use to check it.

It's probably faulty. Snakes aren't normally too lazy to shed if there's no other problems (generally they still do even with problems though). It's possible the humidity is lower than you're seeing it and she just couldn't do it when she was supposed to.

I'd think a snake like a gtp would still try to get the shed off. At least around the eyes and head.

But yeah I'd check you cages and give the snake a good manual misting or what ladybug said with the tub and heat mat.

smy_749 · 07-03-13, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amadeus

I'd think a snake like a gtp would still try to get the shed off. At least around the eyes and head.

But yeah I'd check you cages and give the snake a good manual misting or what ladybug said with the tub and heat mat.

With low humidity levels, they still know its time to shed and often will rub the face / head part off and leave the rest and wait for proper conditions, its not that uncommon. My guess is what Aaron posted, your humidity gauge may be off. I did what Lady_bug suggested above, and the GTP I acquired with stuck shed practically slipped right out of his skin. If the humidity is right, the shed is effortless and even a 'lazy' chondro wouldn't have any issues.

Best of luck, and don't use any weird shed sprays from the petstore.

brooklynboy521 · 07-03-13, 09:24 AM

I tried for a few hours to do the tub thing with the heat mat. It seemed to work a little, all the shed came off of her head and most of her belly and sides. I was able to get the rest of it off her back so now she is clear. Didn't make much sense to me. I double checked the gauge and tried another one got the same reading.

**lady_bug87** · 07-03-13, 10:19 AM

Your Husbandry was definitely off if she started to shed after you put her in there. What are you using to measure?

brooklynboy521 · 07-03-13, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lady_bug87

Your Husbandry was definitely off if she started to shed after you put her in there. What are you using to measure?

My thermostat is a Vivarium Electronics VE-100 (not sure the number) and for humidity I was using a household humidity gauge/ temp gauge. She also has a zoo med repti rain mister.

**Aaron_S** · 07-03-13, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brooklynboy521

My thermostat is a Vivarium Electronics VE-100 (not sure the number) and for humidity I was using a household humidity gauge/ temp gauge. She also has a zoo med repti rain mister.

Get another humidity gauge.

brooklynboy521 · 07-04-13, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Get another humidity gauge.

Can you point me in the right direction for one than?

Chu'Wuti · 07-04-13, 07:59 PM

What do you mean by a "household" humidity gauge? If it's one of those dial things, they are notoriously inaccurate. You need a digital humidity gauge.

Even an AcuRite or a La Crosse digital gauge is better than a dial brand.

Also, your humidity gauge (and thermometer) should be located where the snake spends the most time or at least at that level, as temps and humidity can both vary from the top to the bottom of an enclosure.

smy_749 · 07-04-13, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brooklynboy521

Can you point me in the right direction for one than?

Amazon.com: AcuRite 613 Indoor Humidity Monitor: Home & Kitchen

Available at Walmart, Lowes, Homedepot, etc. etc. sometimes cheaper than that as well.

Chu'Wuti · 07-04-13, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

Amazon.com: AcuRite 613 Indoor Humidity Monitor: Home & Kitchen

Available at Walmart, Lowes, Homedepot, etc. etc. sometimes cheaper than that as well.

Yep. That'll work.