Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, a couple of days ago, I posted a message about my snake in shed and acting strange(acting like he had upper respiratory infection) with all the yawning.

Well, last night at 1:00am, I looked in the snake enclosure and he was starting to shed. It wasn't the prettiest shed and he still needs to get some skin off but he stopped the yawning and looks very crisp and clean.

Thanks for all the advices.

NO PROBLEM, GLAD TO SEE THE HOG IS OK , NEXT TIME YOUR SNAKE GOES INTO SHED, BE SURE TO KEEP A NICE SIZE WATER BOWL IN THE CAGE FOR THE SNAKE TO SHED , MOISTURE HELPS AND A FULL SHED MEANS YOUR SNAKE IS NICE ,AND HEALTHY. OK

Thanks, the only werid thing is, I kept a water bowl large enough for the snake to soak in... and I also soaked him in warm water for 10-15 min for the past 2 days and his shed wasn't still perfect.

His head and his lower back still hasn't shed.

Would you have any suggestions?

Thanks again.

Let him soak in an escape proofe, vented container for 2 hours. Only have water deep enough to go half way up the sides of his body. After the soak gently rub off the stuck shed-you can also use a damp wash cloth. Some of the commercial reptile skin sprays, like Bio-Mist, that contain aloe help a lot. Pay close attention to any stuck shed on the tail area. Another method that has worked well for me is to take some sredded aspen bedding and mix it with water just enough to make it thick and soupy. Let the snake crawl through that for a few hours. The moisture will soften the stuck old skin and the aspen friction will remove it. Even removes stuck eye caps.

The shed process is an on going cycle and a big event in a snake's life. Actually the next shed cycle starts right after the old one. Though misting, soaking, or increasing humidity helps when the visible sighns of a impending shed occur, that is in many ways too late. Maintaining proper humidity at all times will insure easy, one piece sheds. Bill
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