Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My ball python is having shedding problems, I've had him for about 2 months he's 6 years old, and this is my first shed with him. the humidity is good, His skin came off in pieces and there are still some on him, what do I need to do to get the rest of it off. He looks horrible. What could cause that..

Sounds like dry conditions or he's dehydrated. Give him a soak and make sure he has fresh water.
I'm sure other's, more qualified than I will chime in. There is always the search function. I'm sure this question has been asked a time or two.

Dave

No, the humidity was not good, because he did not shed perfectly. Good humidity = perfect shed.
What are you using to heat with? I've found that using a UTH (Under Tank Heater) helps keep the air from drying out like it will with a heat light.

As far as the rest of the skin, try a soak in a tub filled with a little bit of water. Water should go no higher than halfway up the snake, and should be lukewarm. Leave the snake in there for 15-30 minutes. That should do the trick. If it doesn't all come off the first time, just wait another day or two and then do another soak.

~jenny
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"Polysyllabism in no way insures that what you're saying is actually worth being heard." - Blake (an e-friend of mine)

"I have never made but one prayer to god, a very short one: "O lord, make my enemies ridiculous." And he granted it." - Voltaire

I'm using the undertanke heater, and everyone now and then the heat lamp, what should the humidity be at ? also I have a screened lid, sometimes it seams like the humidity either stays at 60-70 or goes does down really quick, should I cover part of the screened area ?

Covering some of the screen will help with the humidity. 60-70% is good. Heat lamps will definately dry things out. I have 50 or so snakes now and have to assist about 25% of them with every shed, and my humidity stays good. I really believe some snakes just can't get the hang of it. I had a 14ft burmese that NEVER had a good shed, that was a time sheding all that snake.
Link

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www.fbballpythons.com

what did you do to help with the shed ??

Humidity should be between 40-60, so some of the time, you have it fine... I would put a damp towel over most of the screen of the cage when the snake starts going into blue. Keep the towel moist as much as possible, and it'll really help keep the humidity up.
Also just try a soak when the snake is really, really blue. Maybe a couple soaks, every couple days, until the snake actually sheds. I haven't found that lots of soaking beforehand really helps a lot, though, so your best bet is to try and up the relative humidity.

What kind of bedding do you use? Did you try misting the cage when you noticed the snake went into blue? Do you use a huge waterbowl, or a small one?

~jenny
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"Polysyllabism in no way insures that what you're saying is actually worth being heard." - Blake (an e-friend of mine)

"I have never made but one prayer to god, a very short one: "O lord, make my enemies ridiculous." And he granted it." - Voltaire

I have the zoo med reptile bark..the water bowl is 52 oz bowl.

one trick I have used with some problem shedders is adding another water bowl. something shallow, with lots of surface. I put it over the UTH and it helps evaporate the water, and raise humidity, without having to over wet the substrate. (I do also mist) the key is to make sure that if your tank is glass, be sure the water you add is room temp or even a little higher. Otherwise you risk cracking the glass, by changing the temp too quickly. It really is all about humidity, but I have found that a stressed snake can sometimes shed poorly. I suspect this is because they hide too much to stay properly hydrated. If this is the case, hang a towel or sheet in front of the tank, so your snake isn't disturbed by passing traffic.
hope this helps.

ps....I have never soaked a snake for shedding, but it seems many here do, so trying that in addition should cover most bases!
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James.....
"Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought the beast back."

Try Cypress Mulch or Aspen instead. I've never had a snake have a good shed on the bark.
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"Polysyllabism in no way insures that what you're saying is actually worth being heard." - Blake (an e-friend of mine)

"I have never made but one prayer to god, a very short one: "O lord, make my enemies ridiculous." And he granted it." - Voltaire

There could be a number of factors/issues behind your shedding problem or it could be a fluke. Double check your husbandry - make sure you are measuring your temps and humidity with the proper equipment (not the analog dials you buy at the pet store). Make sure that you cover up the top of your tank - get a piece of plexi glass (cheap at home depot) and you should be set. Make sure you are providing fresh water daily or every other day - many balls will not drink stale water - causing them to dehydrate and not secrete the fluid needed for shedding. Make sure your snake is feeding well and is free of parasites. As for soaking - I wouldn't do it prior to the shed - most balls find soaking stressful - the added stress of the soak may work against you - it doesn't do much for them except that they tend to drink while they are soaking which lends well to hydrating them. A little bump in the humidity by spritzing the cage just prior to shedding should help out - I'd avoid spraying the snake - they don't like it and you need to keep them stress free during this time. You can also try putting some damp moss in his hide while he's in blue. Do not place a bowl of water over or under any heat source.

As for removing left over shed a soak in a small amount of water (about 1/2 way up the side of the snake) should do - do not fill it so much the snake has to swim and do not leave your snake unattended while soaking. Or you can wet down a towel (again warm water) and wrap the snake up inside after a few minutes get the snake to wiggle through the towel and the skin should fall off fairly easily - this is my preferred method as its less stressful for the snake.

I'm sure there is more but that's what I can think of off the top of my head.

Good luck.
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Tosha
JET Pythons

Assist shedding is exactly what it sounds like. When the few snakes I have that don't shed good I simply take them out and shed them. Just like peeling skin when you are sunburned. To be honest the snakes seem to like it. Kinda like bonding with them.
Link

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www.fbballpythons.com

Hey Tosha,
Just wondering....why no water bowl over the heat source? I ask because I've done it and it really helps to up the humidity. Just want to make sure that by doing that I'm not also doing something that might harm my snakes.
(of course I also make sure there is plenty of space for the snake to also fit on the warm side to thermoregulate)
Always lookin for ways to improve my husbandy!!
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James.....
"Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought the beast back."