Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Why is it so hard for a bp to shed properly? Even if I mist the tank 3x a day she won't shed well! It seems the only way to get her to shed right is to fold paper towel and put it under her hide and soak it daily. This is fine because it works. But why can't they shed well otherwise?
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-David Harrison-
.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Striped Anery Corn "Vendetta"
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
.1 Ball Python "Rocky Ballboa" (Didn't name her!)

"Have you ever tried simply turning off the T.V., sitting down with your kids... and hitting them?"

Bc your humidity levels are not correct most probably. I would be very cautious of making your pythons enclosure that wet every day. They are not tropical animals.
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Morph Evolutions
www.morphevolutions.com

You aren't providing enough humidity. Making things wet is not the same as providing ambient humidity to ensure their skin is hydrated. Mine never have a problem shedding so it is environmental, not species-related.
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~* Jen *~

Pink Lady Constrictors

Shedding issues is not species related......... I'm sure some of you will disagree, but in my opinion humidity is only relevant at shed time. I live in Northern Virginia (average humidity), use aspen bedding, and have never measured humidity and never had bad sheds. I do use a rack system so I don't have excess ventilation. Once he or she goes opaque, then mist the BP and the sides of the tub a twice a day until shed time (very important not to miss the signs of an oncoming shed)...... If you keep a saturated papertowel in it's hide box at all times, you run a good chance of a bacterial infection or scale rot.
Hope this helps, Joe
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0.0.4 Green Tree Pythons
2.5 Ball Pythons
...(2 pied, 1 Albino, 2 Het Albino, 2 Normals)
1.0 Irian Jaya Carpet Python
1.0 Hypo Boa Constrictor
1.0 Leucistic Texas rat
1.0 Albino Corn

I agree. My snake room is kept at 40-50% humidity by a humidifer, but mainly to keep the rodents from getting dry noses as well as keeping the snakes comfortable. Then during shed, I mist daily until they're done. Works perfectly, no problems with shedding, and things aren't sopping wet to encourage scale rot or bacteria.
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~* Jen *~

Pink Lady Constrictors

Just a suggestion, make a humidity box for each tub. Take a tupperware bowl (I like the bowls they give you for take out Chinese,) cut a circle in the lid, and then put sphagnum moss in it. Moisten the moss when needed to up your humidity. You should put a digital hygrometer in one of the tubs, to let you know when to moisten. Hope this helps.

If you rule out the obvious reasons like illness, parasites and injury - balls also have problems shedding when they are dehydrated or stressed. If you are providing plenty of fresh clean water and proper husbandry most balls will shed fine. If you are constantly fiddling with their caging, spraying it down, soaking the animal, etc. etc. - you are shooting yourself in the foot - all those things are stressful and will work against you. Go back and look at your basics.

Good luck.
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Tosha
JET Pythons

Insert Silly Quote Here

Ok, back to basics..... 07 hatchling in a 10 gallon tank, warm side of 87, cool side of 80, hide on the warm and cool side, water bowl, on carpet, eats every week even when blue, ambient humidity 60%, mist 2x daily while blue.... So then why won't she shed properly without me putting in damp paper towel?
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-David Harrison-
.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Striped Anery Corn "V" or "5".....Has two names
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
.1 Ball Python "Rocky Ballboa" (Didn't name her!)
0.0.1 Crested Gecko "The Crested Gecko"

"Have you ever tried simply turning off the T.V., sitting down with your kids... and hitting them?"