shedding problems

[lucmartineau]

hello everyone,

I have a male Ball python that is about 2 years old now or so,
he just won't shed properly i have had him over one year now and he shed properly once for me (second last shed) i was really excited and then a few days ago he started shedding and what a mess thousands of little pieces and his entire back side has not shed yet,

i have tried nearly everything
humitity is good, i have a humidifier and according to the humidity gauge in his cage it should be fine, he is unable to see the other snakes (he is about 10 feet form them and the way the cages are set up no way to see them) i rarely handle him except to take him out to feed him but when i do he is really good with me, he is not shy at all he is very curious and climbs all over me
he is never in a "ball" and is never frightened
,
there are no other animals in the room but other snakes

his enclosure has a big water dish plus 2 hidding spots and things to climb up on

he can streth full lengh and not touch either end of the cage so its not to small but it aint HUGE for him either

lately i have to give him several baths a day to try and remove that skin,

i am all out of ideas :-(

other than that he is in great health no other problems with my little guy at all

any suggestions very apreciated

have a good day everyone

Luc Martineau

[BoidKeeper]

I'm facing a similar problem with a young female. Not sure how to cure it but I do know how to help them out of the skin once they start. I put a very damp towl in the bottom of the cage and then I put the snake in it and cover him/her completly. Come back in a few hours and you have a new snake, never fails. If bad sheds can be cause by dehidration then according to a friend pedialite might help, not sure.
Good luck,
Trevor

[Tim_Cranwill]

Hi Luc, try this...

Get a container that he'll fit into with an opaque lid so it's dark inside the container. Cut an access hole in the top/lid and fill the container with paper towels. Drench the paper towels so that they are holding as much water as they can and so there's even a little water they can't soak up. Now put this "humid hide box" on the warm spot and he'll spend a few days straight in there when he's going into shed, if he's anything like my bp's. Mine shed in one piece when I do this method.

For getting rid of what's left on him now, try taking a pillow case and soak it in warm (not too hot) water. Put him in the bag and tie it off well. Leave the snake in the sack on the heat pad used to heat his enclosure. Keep him there for 20 - 30 minutes and he will have a good chance of finishing that shed.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[lucmartineau]

Thank you much
i will definaly give that try,
here is a picture of his head



Luc Martineau

[lucmartineau]

good news,
i did the pillow trick left him in for 30 minites and there is barely any skin left, i will leave him be for a day or 2 and then another 30 minites in the pillow case and i am sure it will be all gone, only top of the neck to the back of his head needs to come off other than that he looks GREAT

when he starts to shed next time i will do your humid/hide box thing see how that goes, cause i would love to avoid this pillow case stuff entirely

Luc

[Lisa]

only one of our balls ever had a perfect shed, usually it just looks like a snake exploded, though it does all come off unassisted.

[Tim_Cranwill]

Glad to hear it worked

For the next shed, throw that humid hide in when you notice his eyes have turned blue. Hopefully it will come off in one nice big piece.

Later...