Reptile & Amphibian Forums

my ball python didnt shed right on the head and the eye caps didnt shed as well i tried rubbing the eyes with a q-tip and some warm water, i have also tried to use the shedding aid spray and that isnt working either do any of you have any advice on what i should do?

Try putting the snake in a damp pillowcase or snake bag on the warm end of its enclosure overnight. That will probably do the trick.

Hope this helps,
Shelly

I've also had luck using a good soak. I'm no ball expert, but soaking worked for me. For more info, I recommend searching on "shed" at this page:
www.kingsnake.com/ballpythonguide/

Here's a soak procedure to try if the damp pillowcase doesn't work:

(1) Find a shallow plastic container with a lid (Tupperware or Rubbermaid, for example).

(2) Fill container with luke warm water (70-75 degrees F) up to a depth that is equal to half your snake's largest diameter. If your snake is about two inches in diameter, that would be one inch of water.

(3) Place snake inside container.

(4) Place and secure lid on container, making sure the snake can still get air. In my experience, I did not snap the lid on, but had it slightly askew. You can use rubber bands or something to hold it on. Use your imagination here.

(5) Place snake and the container in the snake's enclosure to maintain temperature.

(6) Wait 45 minutes.

(7) Remove snake from container.

(8) Try your Q-tip method again. If the stuck pieces still won't come off, then wait another 24 hours.

Sometimes the pieces just come off after a little more time. I've also read that it's okay to wait until the next shed cycle, but I guess that depends on how stressed your snake is due to having obstructed vision.

Good luck!
-----
---
Seren
---
"The universe is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering." (Chinese proverb)
Stormwraith Sidelines (blog including occasional tales about my ball python, Ella)

I had one do this today, but no eyecap problems. I dump out their substrate and pit about 1/8" water in the tub and put them back on the rack. The heat keeps the water warm enough that the snake doesn't cool down too much. I leave them in there for 90 mins to 2 hrs and then get a damp cloth and hold the snake in it. Wehn the snake tries to crawl out of my hands I apply a small amount of pressure and that causes the skin to come off.

I had a baby snake that got its whole shed stuck. I did this soaking twice a day for three days and then I used a damp rag to start the shed for her. By the time I was finished, I had shed her completely from the tip of her nose to the end of her tail, and eyecaps also shed perfectly. This is what worked for me, and I hope it helps you.
-----
Happy Herping,
Jody Barnes
Royal Kreationz

My snakes aren't fat, they're big boned.

Whenever I have a shedding issue with any one of my balls, I have a spray water bottle. Go to Walmart and purchase a water bottle that will only be used for your snakes and will only have water in it. If you have a spray bottle in your house, make sure that there has never been anyhing but water in it. Pick the ball up and spray it twice a day and if it is super stubborn, then fill a tub with lukewarm water and give it a good soak. In a day or so it should be perfectly shed. You can email me if you have any other questions. Thanks and Good Luck