Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have only had my grey-banded kingsnake for about 2 weeks. It was about 8 inches when i got it and i was told it was 2 weeks to a month and a half. My problem is that it is begining to shed it's skin. I am worried because Only 1 half of its head has shed. The right side has shed all the way down to its neck while the left hasnt shed at all. Is this a problem? I am not sure whether it is its first time shedding or not. Do you think it could be shedding prematuraly? It's eyes never became very white or blue like most snakes do before they shed. I looked at it 2 dayys and saw its eyes were a little cloudy but not like other snakes i have seen. Do i need to make a humidity box? Will he be able to finish shedding on his own?

Yes give it a moist hide. A margarine tub with a hole cut in the side and some moist moss or even just moist paper towels will work. For right now since it has already started shedding you need to soak it. Put it in an escape proof container (with air holes) with about 1/8th inch of water on the bottom for a few hours. If you put a layer of newspaper on the bottom so it soaks up most of the water and leaves the water barely over the newspaper that will give the snake something rough to rub against and it may shed by itself. If not then after a couple hours you should be able to manually rub the skin off.
Do this soaking today, if you let it go more than a couple days the skin can fuse on. The water and soaking tub should be kept at about room temp., 72F or so.

Also invest in a good care book. Anything by AVS (Advanced Vivarium System) publications is good. I don't think they have one on graybands specifically but the book General Care and Maintanance of Common Kingsnakes covers most all of the basic care needs and potential problems and all the info is also applicable to Graybands (except perhaps medication doses). Almost any pet store sells the AVS series and they cost only about $15 retail.

I took him out about a half hour ago and the shed was much losser i barely held on to the shed while he slowly moved out of it and it all came off! thanks for you help and i think i will buy a care book