quick shedding q....

Clownfishie · 11-08-02, 01:09 PM

Well, Xander shed for the first time last night!

Or at least, for the first time with me... hehe...

It was pretty messy though, despite the high humidity in the tank (around 80%)... pieces of skin all over the place. AND he took a big poop too -- LOL

Needless to say, it was definitely cage cleaning time...
I'm pretty sure that I saw a piece with what looked like eye caps -- but I'm really not sure. Is there any way to tell just by looking at his eyes? They don't look cloudy or anything...

I also noticed when I took him out to "play" for a few minutes this afternoon that the very tip of his tail still hasn't shed yet -- should I give him a chance to get it off on his own, or should I try to help him out (and if I try to help, how do I do it again?).. it's pretty much from his spurs down to the tip that's still on there...

Thanks guys

Jen

Oh, and as soon as I have my own computer back (hopefully in the next couple of days, the moving truck should be getting here any day now...

) I'll be posting some new pics -- I got a bunch today during play time of him and his new & shiny skin

Scotty Allen · 11-08-02, 01:14 PM

Try and pick that bit of shed skin off the tail with your fingernails, it will save you grief later.

Tim_Cranwill · 11-08-02, 01:20 PM

Try the damp pillow case method... it worked for me in the same situation.

-Take a pillow case and soak it in warm water.
-Put the snake in the pillow case and tie the top tight.
-Leave the pillow case, with the snake it in, on the hot spot of the snake's enclosure.
-Wait 20 minutes and check on the snake.
-If the skin is still there, gently rub the area or return to pillow case for further treatment.

Should work.

Good luck!!!

Lisa · 11-08-02, 01:24 PM

Soaking in the sink or tub works too

and don't worry about the not shedding all in one piece. when a BP sheds it looks like a snake exploded in your tank

Big Mike · 11-08-02, 01:24 PM

Sounds exactly like what I went through last month with my BP's first shed (with me). I used a wet/damp towel to help him out of his flakey skin. I squezed the tail skin (with the towel) just a little... and let him pull his tail out of it.

It may come off on it's own and it may not. I've read that if it stays on long enough it could cut off circulation in the tail and cause damage.

Clownfishie · 11-08-02, 01:37 PM

Thanks guys

I think I'll try the towel method first -- it looks like a little too much skin for me to just pick off -- I got a piece of it off, but I don't want to damage his new skin by ripping it all off...
If that doesn't work, I'll go for the pillow case method... the towel just seems a little better, considering that it's only the tip of his tail that's affected -- if it was more of his body the pillow case would definitely be better

LOL Lisa

That's exactly what it looked like... hehe... So I should pretty much expect it to be that way every time?

Pixie · 11-08-02, 01:59 PM

I've used the towel method before and it works great, the wet towel seems to have a better rough surface to help get the rest of the skin off just right.

Tim_Cranwill · 11-08-02, 02:02 PM

Mine might shed in pieces in the future, but so far each one has shed once and in one piece....

Ron · 11-08-02, 04:25 PM

If sufficient humidity is supplied, your BP should not have a problem shedding in one to three pieces. When I see mine going into "blue" I mist their enclosure at least twice a day. I make sure I mist underneath their warm hide. I use Carefresh as the substrate for all of my BP's. Carefresh works well for me to hold some moisture. Or you can try giving them a humidity box. I have used these two methods and have had only one "explosion" shed. That was because I left for a weekend and forgot to put in a humidity box. I am not sure how you have your setup but I think you should try the humidity box next time. Good luck.

katey · 11-08-02, 05:36 PM

Seems pretty typical of all ours, the exploded ball that is. We have used the pillowcase method but i normally just leave them in it for a few hours.

kate
http://snakes.lexxdog.com

Clownfishie · 11-08-02, 07:29 PM

I managed to get the last bit of skin off -- combination of the wet towel method, and the soak method

Xander was none too happy with me by the time we finished, but at least I got it off...

The humidity is already pretty high in there, but next time I see him going into shed I'll try setting up a humidity box for him, or misting the enclosure...

Thanks again guys

You'll get your reward (or your punishment -- depending on how you want to look at it... hehe

) in a few minutes... I'm going to post some new pics of my little darling....