Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello All,

My JCP (approx 8-10 months old) began to shed three days ago. He broke the skin off of his head, and approximately 1 inch down his back. He is having trouble completing the shed. I've been HEAVILY misting his tank, and I placed him in a small container filled w/ wet paper towels since he doesn't like to be put directly in water. He remained in the container for about 5 hours, and it was quite humid in there during this time. When I took him out, I tried to help some of the skin off, but only about another inch or so came off easily. He didn't seem to be in discomfort while I was shedding him, and I could manually shed him with a tweezer and forceps if need be, but I am hesitant to do so. I don't want him to become skin bound, and usually when my snakes have trouble shedding, and I soak them, the skin comes completely off in pieces. Should I intervene yet or should I wait?

Thanks for your time,
Ralph

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0.0.1 Argentine Black and White Tegu
0.0.1 Baby Aru Green Tree Python R.I.P. 01/26/04
2.1 Bearded Dragon
0.0.4 Hatchling Bearded Dragons
1.1 Honduran Milksnake
1.0 Florida Brooksi Kingsnake
1.0 Blood Red Cornsnake
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
1.0 Western Hognose Snake
1.0 Bull Mastiff

Just put him back in with the damp paper towels and leave him...for a day or two if necessary. It will come off like that.

Thank you!

I noticed today that he was curled up in a circular pattern, like he usually is, but his head was slouched over his coils facing the ground. I've read that snakes can die from being skin bound, but when I picked him up he seemed fine from what I can tell. Tongue motion was fast and frequent, and his strength was pretty strong while he was coiling around my hand. I have soaked him twice for about 5 hours each time the past two days, I wasn't sure if I could leave him in a damp environment that long. He's been soaking today for about 6 hours, and he will continue to soak for atleast another 20 or so, and then hopefully the skin will come off.

Thanks again!
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0.0.1 Argentine Black and White Tegu
0.0.1 Baby Aru Green Tree Python R.I.P. 01/26/04
2.1 Bearded Dragon
0.0.4 Hatchling Bearded Dragons
1.1 Honduran Milksnake
1.0 Florida Brooksi Kingsnake
1.0 Blood Red Cornsnake
1.0 Jungle Carpet Python
0.1 Desert Kingsnake
1.0 Western Hognose Snake
1.0 Bull Mastiff