I just bought an albino checkerboard Garter snake for my girlfriend, and the next day it started to shed. only it didnt keep shedding the skin shed off its head 3 days ago. and the rest of the skin is ready to shed but has not come off. the garter is maybe 6.5" and very very small. It has not eaten since we got it but we we told that is most likely because of the shed. we have soaked the snake in its water dish and have given it a "rubbing rock". Is there anything else I can do.
can I help by rubbing the skin with my fingers? would that hurt the snake...?
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My new Garter Snake seems to be having trouble shedding
domingoakasunday
Dec 05, 2003 02:38 PM
Replies (3)
B_man
Dec 05, 2003 03:21 PM
I have read in this forum somewhere before that you can help aid the snake's shedding by using your fingernail to lightly srap some of the skin off. You may want to give that a try but just be easy when doing this so as to not harm the snake of course.
domingoakasunday
Dec 05, 2003 07:09 PM
Thanks. I should be able to get the skin off without using my finger nail... all it should take is a little rubbing.
rhallman
Dec 05, 2003 08:41 PM
I would suggest soaking him for several hours, maybe most of the day. The while he is still wet let him crawl between your fingers while putting slight pressure against him. His skin should come of farely easily from the snakes own movements.
