How long should a Corn Snake Shed Take?

GarterPython · 06-04-12, 08:42 PM

I thought I would ask this question as my baby corn snake is going on his 3rd week of being in shed and wanted to make sure that it was normal? Also it seems like he is only shedding his body as his head is the same colour as always? Thought this question might also help others too!

CDN_Blood · 06-05-12, 04:19 AM

Nope, that's not normal. It sounds like it may have sloughed the old skin on it's head but the body's old skin is still clinging. This can happen if you're using something unsuitable for substrate like shavings.

Of course, a picture is worth a thousand words and we'd be able to help more if we could see what's what...

Gungirl · 06-05-12, 05:06 AM

That is odd.. Give him a humid hide to help him out of his old skin. I use Aspen for my corn snake and never mist him but the humidity here is often 40-50%. Depending on how dry the air is around you he might just need a bit of help with the shed. My corn goes blue and sheds with in 10 days.

Fredricks · 06-05-12, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gungirl

That is odd.. Give him a humid hide to help him out of his old skin. I use Aspen for my corn snake and never mist him but the humidity here is often 40-50%. Depending on how dry the air is around you he might just need a bit of help with the shed. My corn goes blue and sheds with in 10 days.

My specs are the same. I like to wedge a wood hide against one side of my terrarium and like clock work she uses the spacing to take I all off

Obviously Garter you know what can happen if you don't get the stuck shed off, I would immediately try to take it off. I personally use a clean wash cloth (I try to dilute it from any left over smells from the wash). I warm water and place the snake in the cloth allowing them to breath and be comfortable, but soaking where it needs it. You will notice the spots that need to come off. When you do, all the snake to flow through your hands while still in the cloth, gently applying pressure being careful of the eyes. Takes a bit but works and is very gentle

Also make sure the eye caps are off

GarterPython · 06-05-12, 07:02 AM

I use aspen as bedding and will get a picture when I get back from school. I gave him a bath yesterday and I will put a humid hide in his cage as soon as I am done on the forum.

SSSSnakes · 06-05-12, 07:18 AM

If I have a problem with a snake shedding, I fill a plastic sealtite tub 1/4 full of water and leave the snake in there for 24 hrs with the lid on. Most of the time the shed is floating in the water when I go to get the snake out. If it is still on the snake, just run your hand over the snake and it peals tight off.

I use aspen bedding for all my snake and rarely do I have any issues. I also heat and humidify my snake room.

GarterPython · 06-05-12, 07:21 AM

I don't know why he would get a stuck shed. Every thing in my care for him is right. I have him 80-85 degrees on his hot side and 70-75 on the cold side. I spray him once every day for like 5 seconds because I don't have enough humidity in my room. I have 2 hides. A water bowl that is big enough for him to go in and now I have a humid hide. I don't what to do the water thing. I know it is unlikely but I really don't want him to drown or something. The humid hide has damp paper towel in it.

Fredricks · 06-05-12, 07:28 AM

There's no reason to stress garter. Every snake is different and has different likes or ways of dealing with things. One of my BPs loves the water. He drinks a lot, wraps the water dish a lot. He has the exact same conditions as my other bps just what he does

GarterPython · 06-05-12, 07:34 AM

I hope it comes off. I will give him a bath when I get home and try the wet cloth idea. I just don't want him to get hurt, die, etc......

Lankyrob · 06-05-12, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

If I have a problem with a snake shedding, I fill a plastic sealtite tub 1/4 full of water and leave the snake in there for 24 hrs with the lid on. Most of the time the shed is floating in the water when I go to get the snake out. If it is still on the snake, just run your hand over the snake and it peals tight off.

I use aspen bedding for all my snake and rarely do I have any issues. I also heat and humidify my snake room.

You leave a snake unattended for 24 hours in a sealed tub of water?? Isnt this just asking for the snake to drown?

SSSSnakes · 06-05-12, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

You leave a snake unattended for 24 hours in a sealed tub of water?? Isnt this just asking for the snake to drown?

I was told about this method by old schoolers and it works just fine. I've been doing it for over 25 years and never had any issues. Snakes are smart enough to keep their heads above water. It is less stressful for the snake because it removes the stuck shed without having to handle the snake and peal it off. It has a proven record of success with no fatalities for the past 25 years.

Frozenflame · 06-05-12, 11:58 AM

well i agree with soaking just not for as long as 24 hours :/
do you use luke warm water?

Toronto1977 · 06-05-12, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frozenflame

well i agree with soaking just not for as long as 24 hours :/
do you use luke warm water?

Also agree. 24 hours seems excessive and unnatural, especially for a Corn snake.

SSSSnakes · 06-05-12, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frozenflame

well i agree with soaking just not for as long as 24 hours :/
do you use luke warm water?

I would never use luke warm water. Tepid water. If the water feels warm to you it is to warm for the snake.

Snakefood · 06-05-12, 04:29 PM

I keep my corns on aspen, when I see them go blue, I put a humid hide in, they always have a rock or pc of wood to rub against and I have never had a problem with sheds.

I don't bother with humidity here, but being so close to the coast, our relative humidity is quite high naturally