Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My snake shed last week (started August 18), but did not shed in one piece...not even close actually. Almost her entire head, eye caps, a 3 scale piece on the body, and the very tip of her tail failed to slough(sp?). I would like to know whether or not to worry about it for now, and just make sure to up the humidity even more for the next shed (I kept it above 60% for the most part during shed). Should I try to get the skin off somehow...?
I didn't want to try to soak her because I was afraid of submerging her head thus causing stress and anger towards me in general. She ate 2 fuzzy mice yesterday (August 25) without any problems, so I don't think the skin excess skin on the head is causing any problems (constricting skin, etc.)

Should I worry?
Jacob

You can just put her in a damp pillowcase or snake bag and set her on the warm end of her cage. Or, if she's small you could use a deli cup lined with damp paper towels. That will help her get the stuck shed off. I personally wouldn't leave the stuck shed on until the next shed.

Hope this helps,
Shelly

I would do what above posted. As far as her getting mad about a soak, I would say most like it and will go under themselves. It will not make her aggessive at all. How old is your snake?

I've had her about a month, and I got her from petsmart so its hard to say. she's about 20" long and a little smaller around than a 50 cent piece.

Well theres your first mistake, but atleast your here asking questions. What is your humidity at? and does she have an hide available? What are you keeping her in?

so far I've had pretty good luck despite all the bad things I've heard about Petsmart (knock on wood). Yes she has hides, she's in a 20 gallon long. when she wasn't in shed the humidity was 50-60%, when she was shedding i kept the humidity between 60-70%.

What do you feed and how often?! I may be wrong but I have noticed with some of the balls that I've rescued the underweight ones always have tougher times shedding because of all that loose skin, they cant really scrape up against anything. While the more robust ones (not obese) always make full sheds.

Up until she started shedding I was feeding her 2 fuzzy mice every 5 days. she started shedding the 18th and all the skin except the aforementioned bit left was gone by the 23rd, so I fed her yesterday and she ate the two no problem.
should she be bigger? should I feed her more?
Jacob

I would move her up to a Rat pup. Dont panic about it just take care of your humidity levels and it should all come off within the next shed if not sooner

should i change my humidity levels, Right now its at 54%?

I usually keep my humidity at 60% and I have never had any problem sheds, I do mist them every day as well.

A suggestion, If you have her in a tank, cover 90% of it that will help keep the humidity in.

I agree. Mouse fuzzys are pretty small. Most hatchlings can eat a hopper mouse for their first meal, and adult mice or rat pups after a few meals.