Bp shedding peice by peice

Darkest · 08-17-04, 02:57 PM

My BP has just started its shedding cycle. But I have a problem, My BP is only shedding scale by scale. I dont know what is happening but I keep the temps at around 80-85 dgrees and the humidity is around 60%.

thunder · 08-17-04, 03:23 PM

make sure that all of the scales come off. the eyecaps will be especially likely to get stuck, and it is important that they be removed, as bacteria can build up between the layers. i would suggest giving it a soak, and then leaving it overnight in a rubbermaid with a damp towel. if there are still unshed pieces of skin, hold the towel and allow your snake to slid thru it forcefully, as this will hopefully remove some shed. if any pieces remain, and your snake seems unable to get rid of them itself, gently peel them off, using your fingers for larger sections and a tweezers for individuals scales. your snake may struggle, especially when you remove scales from the head, so it is important that it be fully restrained so that you do not slip with the tweezers and injure the snake.

jparker1167 · 08-17-04, 03:38 PM

i agree with thunder, you could try increasing the humidity when it in shed.

thunder · 08-17-04, 03:45 PM

also, do you have a humidity box for your bp? if not, here's how i make mine: get a rubbermaid that is a good size for a hide for the snake. cut a hole in the side that the snake can enter thru. make sure the edges are not sharp. cut a piece of sponge or foam that fits the bottom of the rubbermaid. put this in the snakes cage and mist it (the humidity box) every day so that the sponge is damp. clean it every once in a while to prevent the growth of mold. some people use moss or paper towels instead of sponge, but i like sponge because it is reusable.

mykee · 08-17-04, 04:54 PM

Ok, the above methods will be of no help if your ball is shedding (if you can call it that) the way I think it is. First of all, your temps are too low. 90-95 on the hot side, 80-ish cool side. Increase the humidty to at least 80% during the snakes 'blue period'. I would also suggest you purchase a book on the captive husbandry of BP's if you already have not. Now, I had my albino male shed like you're describing. From my experience, there is nothing you can do about it. He shed close to 10000 scale-sized pieces over two weeks, with increased humidity (BTW, those little pieces are a bitch to clean off rubbermaids). I just conditioned his skin every day or so, and cleaned up after him, there's nothing more you can do really. My ball continued eating, and shed PERFECTLY the next shed.