Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 40 gallon tank with screen lids and all kinds of humidity controld and heat controls, but my female ball still doesnt shed right. she just flakes off when she sheds and it takes days on end. any advice to help her shed better?

a nice soak in a warm bath, or a damp pillow case... worked for me.. there's also a "shed ease" stuff that you mix in with water and soak them in for 20 minutes... that has helped me, cause lord knows i've had shedding issues.. the last time my BP shed, it was a perfect shed and I used a few of those techniques... good luck!

teri

thanks, i actually so some shed ease at the per store. but didnt think i needed it at the time. wish i had picked it up. I just purchased a male pastel today and he will be here tuesday and he is in shed right now, so hopefully he will have a good shed. Is there a way you can tell if they are going to have a good shed or a bad one before the skin actually starts coming off?

Some animals just don't shed right no matter how perfect their setup - from the sound of it yours could use some tweaking to help maintain humidity. Screen tops are a big source of humidity loss - if you cover the top of the screen with plexiglass or even aluminum foil if thats more your budget it will go a long way to keep a good amount of the heat and humidity from escaping the top. Make sure you have a good size water bowl and make sure you are changing the water frequently - as ironic as it sound balls (in general) will not drink stale water and will get dehydrated. Don't use heat lamps and depending on your substrate you may need something that will better promote good humidity.
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Tosha
JET Pythons

so heat lamps are bad? will an UTH be enough to keep my snake warm?

Hey teddy311,

I use a humidity box for my ball python, he will stay in for close to a week when he is getting ready to shed. He sheds perfect every time and it is probably the best option for you since you keep yours in a glass aquarium.(IMHO almost impossible to get humidity right)If your interested in making one it is extremely simple. I just buy a plastic rubbermaid, and sphagnum moss,( not sure on spelling) which I wet than wreng out water like a damp wash cloth, and place inside, and close top, and cut a adequate sized hole on side of rubbermaid for your snake to enter,and thats it. You have a perfect self contained humidity box for your ball to go into when he needs to. You can also google this to get more descriptions of how to put one of these together,
take care,

shannon

thats pretty sweet. its almost like a humidor for cigars, lol