Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a ball python that is having shed problems. I guess he was ready to shed, but only got the skin off his head and stopped. So the old skin still remains on the rest of his body. I don't know if he thinks he's done shedding since is head is clean, or why he hasn't worked to get the rest off. I have 3 questions...

1) How can I assist in getting the rest of the shed off?
2) Is it harmful to them if some shed remains on the body for a couple days?
3) I'd like to either buy or make a better home for him. Right now he's in a 55 gal with a screen top and it's hard to keep the humidity up and I believe that has attributed to his shed problems. Anyone have links to a "build your own enclosure" document or where I can buy something better, and bigger, for a reasonable price?

Thanks!

wet a pillowcase, put the snake in and tie it shut. Put the pillowcsase in a spot with near perfect ambient temps for the BP, maybe just a little warm. Remember, since it's tied in the pillowcase, it can't move around to thermoregulate. Leave it in the bag for a couple/few hours then check in him. If done remove him, if not, leave him in longer.

Old skin on for a couple of days, not a big problem, left on for extended periods can lead to a buildup of layers and make it near impossible for him to slough off that area.

Quick fix for your tank, cover much of the screen top with something that won't allow the humidity to escape. Piece of plastic, tin foil etc. Careful though, this will also make your temps climb so you may have to turn down your heat sources if they are not already on a thermostat.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
24.36 BRB
19.19 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

I'll try that. I use a heatlamp on top of the cage, which probably is a large part of my low humidity, and an under tank heater.