Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got a whitesided black rat snake about 2 weeks ago, and she's doing great. Well when i was spot cleaning her tank I found a piece of shed skin. She's never went in the blue that I know of and it was just a little piece so I think it might have been from her last shed. But the thing is I think she might still have alittle on her head so I put a sweat box in there with her. Is there any thing esle i should do or wait and see if she uses her box?

Take the snake out, and CLOSELY inspect the "eye-caps"(ocular scales) and tail tip, to make absolutely SURE they were not left on from a previous shed. This can cause huge problems if they were not completely removed. If the eye caps WERE left on somehow, you can see a trace of a white ring around the eye, and a slightly unclear look to the eye if the ols shed was left on over the eyes.

If ols shed does NOT come off completely from the tail tip, the old skin can tighten over a little time, and cut off blood-flow to the tip, leading to a disfigured tip, or even it dying, and falling off completely.

If you see these signs I mentioned, you can put a small dab of Baby oil(mineral oil) on the eye, letting it soak in for several hours, and it should be able to be carefully removed with a small pair of tweezers, or similar tool. You can also fill a pillowcase with very moist spagnum moss, and put the snake in it, tie it off, and put the entire bag(with snake inside) into it's normal enclosure, this will prevent the possible escape from the snake forcing itself, and "working" the corner of the bag just in case the corners are weak, or have a small tear you didn't discover previously. Leave the snake in the bag for at least 24 hrs, so the old shed will have time to absorb enough moisture, and be able to be worked off easily by the snake.

best regards, ~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Thanks Doug.
I did what you suggested. I took her out and didn't see any shed on her tail but there is some on the top of her head. the thing is her eyes look clear. Thanks again i'll try the pillow case to get the rest off her.