Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 3' baby red tail, and she has always had a little problem shedding 100%. She always seemed to shed in patches, and she could never shed the tip of her tail. This last time she shed, I waited till a couple of days after her eyes cleared up, then I started misting her enclosure and sealing the top with a blanket. She shed almost 100%, with the exception of one small piece. However, I still had to use a wet cloth to strip her tail shed off. I worry because when I rub the tip of her tail, it is a little sharp and hard, like a point. The skin around the tail all the way to the very tip is smooth and soft, and the shape seems just fine, but I only worry about the very tip feeling kinda sharp. My kingsnake's tail tip is not as pointed and sharp, and I was just wondering if this a normal tip for a boa tail.

This is not a problem. It is normal for the tail tip to look this way (as long as you have taken off all the shed. The shedding problem is a normal one (and obviously due to lack of humidity). What you can try next time is to place a humidity box within the enclosure during shed cycles.

This is simply a box (usually rubbermaid) that the snake can fit it. Cut a hole big enough for the snake to crawl in and out of. On the inside place some moss or paper towels and spray it well with water. Then place this box in on the hot side of the enclosure. The inside of the box will have almost 100% humidity due to the limited space. Place the snake inside the box and the snake can get out whenever it feels ready. This is should help clear up the shedding problem.

Good luck,

Steven Aguilar
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