Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My ball shed last week, but didn't shed her head and a small patch on her body and tail. I've tried everything, up humidity over 80, Deli cup with damp paper towel, and I let her crawl around in a damp paper towel. i've done all of these at least twice in the last 5 days. I'm sure I need to get the skin off before the next shed.
-What can i do to get the skin off?
-Should I worry about it until after the next shed?
thanks,
Jacob

soak it in a big bowl of watrm, not hot water fo ten minutes. that should loosen it up good. after that you can take a wet wsh cloth and gently rub it off.
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jake

my addiction:
0.2 normal ball pythons (lazlo and izzy)
0.1 amelenistic corn snake (maizy)
0.1 blizzard corn (blizz)
1.0 albino cal king (zeus)
0.0.1 wc garter (zim)
hybrid breeders association
hybrid haven

Soak it overnight in 1-2 inches of water! Most likely, the next morning, it'll be floating in the water (the shed that is)

how do i soak it overnight?

There is no need to soak overnight - since it's on the back of the neck if you soak the snake - that part of it will most likely be what he keeps out of the water.

Soak for about 10 minutes in luke warm water - this may not remove the skin completely but it will aid in loosening it - make sure its only deep enough that your snake can comfortable rest on the bottom without having to swim the whole time.

Take snake out and put in warm, damp towel and wrap him up. Most snakes will just sit inside without hassle. After about 5 minutes in the towel encourage your snake to wiggle around inside. The movement through the course towel should be enough to slough the skin right off - if not you can wipe it a bit with a corner of the wet towel.

Most balls find soaking rather stressful so you don't want to rely on soaking as a shed aid - don't over soak either - ironically it will dehydrate your ball and could lead to an RI.

When it's all said and done - a little remaining shed is not a big deal - it can remain safely on the snake until the next shed.

good luck!

.
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Tosha
JET Pythons

Insert Silly Quote Here

She won't even let me soak her. it's her head too so i can't really submerge it. Should I just do the towel idea?

I am in the same situation as you and can't find a solution.