Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I had posted a while ago asking about a problem with excessive spitting. I did a little research and found out that this indicate a respiratory infection, and that tempuratures of 90 F and high humidity can sometimes help the snake clear its breathing passage and kill the bacteria. I have a heating pad under the cage and I keep the sawdust above the heating pad damp, which creates a very humid environment (I also have the water bowl on top of the heating pad). At first my snake was spitting a lot (I think the humidity was helping him clear his chest) and now he seems to be doing a lot better, I haven't seen him spit in two days or heard him cough (yes, he was coughing). Also, he is shedding now, and it seems to be going well on his underside, but the skin on his back isn't coming off 9he started to shed yesterday). I'm keeping it humid for his breathing problem and also to aid him in shedding.. hes not very acquainted to me yet and doesnt like if I try to pull some of the skin off. Is there anything else I can do to help him out? I have two small rocks in the cage..

Put him in a rubbermaid box with a towel in the bottom, and eitehr dampen the towel or mist the box a bunch. Put him in there, close the lid (make sure you put some holes in the box!) sit it on a stadard medical heating pad from your drug store, set to high. Wait an hour. Most every time the snake will have shed or the shed skin on tehm will be real moist and easy to remove or let them remove in their enclosure. We call this a sweat box. There is also a spray by Exoterra or someone like them that is a skin sprat that has aloe and moisturizers just for this issue.

David at 3-D Pythons
www.3dpythons.com