Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So my little Thayeri finally shed for the first time, but it didn't come out as a whole skin. I was hoping it'd be whole so I could use the shedding to begin a graph for my class to keep track of his growth. Any reason that he shed in many "pieces"? Do I need to increase the humidity? Also, what's the best way to get the unshed skin off the very tip of the tail? It's still there on the very end and I just want to make sure it comes off. Thanks a ton for any/all advice or help!
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-Brian

Yeah, most of the sheds my snakes have are whole but I do get some that are in pieces every now and then. As far as what to do on the tip of the tail piece of unshed skin, it is simple. When this happened to me, I would just hold the snake, and hold the tail and submerge the tip in a bowl or container of water, and keep it submerged for 5 min. Then, you should be able to unroll it and have it come off easily.

As to why the shed was not whole, my guess would be maybe the humidity was not as high in the cage as it should be? Was the water level in the bowl really low around the time of shed? Check it out and see, and maybe just put a little extra water in the bowl around shedding time.

Take care!!
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Genesis 1:1

The level in the water dish was right where it always is. For a couple of days, I actually increased it some, and that seemed to help in the size of the shed pieces. I'll just remember next time to bump the humidity up a bit. Thanks!!
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-Brian

When he turns blue give him a humid hide.
For a hatchling, this is a upside down deli cup with a hole cut in the side (For entry), lid on, and stuffed with a clean cloth, moistened with hot water, and wrung out. The snakes like to really pack in there, so don't be afraid to put enough rag in there. For an adult, a cool whip container works.
I usually only offer moist hides to humidity loving species just before shed, and they have always crawled in there immediately when offered. My rubber boas, especially. They like the warmth, as well.