Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi All,
My new BRB just finished shedding, and it came off pretty easy except for the head. The whole looks like its gonna shed, and even has a tiny edge hanging off, but it just won't go. The eyes also have not finished yet either. I tried soaking the snake, but he won't sit still, just races out of the water as fast as possible. I tried making it warmer though maybe it was too cold, but he just won't soak at all. I have never had an issue with soaking a snake before. Any other ways to get him to finish the shed? Or should I just wait till the next shed.

try soaking him in room temp. water for 2 hours or so in a closed rubbermaid container so he can't escape. after 2 hours the retained shed should roll right off if there are no other problems.

it sounds like he had trouble getting started...if your humidity stays around 80% he will have an easier time.

if your enclosure has a screen lid...you may consider a different one...they make humidity very difficult to maintain.

good luck, chris
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www.chrisolsonreptiles.com

***TEMP SOLUTION***

I purchased an XL 'Critter Keeper' (12"x6" for $5 to help me with my herps. It serves as a temporary housing while I clean cages, a feeding bin, and lastly - a shedding aide. If you fill it with shallow, luke-warm water, the distressed herp has nowhere to go but to soak.

You could substitute this plastic tub with a rubbermaid or a bucket, but I just enjoy being able to see into it all times.

It has been a cheap and very useful addition to my herping items and gets used (and cleaned) several times weekly.

I strongly suggest dedicating a tub of this sort for your animals.

Goodluck.

***LONG TERM SOLUTION***

I think you need to check up on the husbandry requirements for your animal and just double check the humidity and heat levels, the number of hides, and feeding schedule for your animal. I'm not sure of your expierence, so just in case you may be new to your animal, if you can answer all of the following questions and check them against care guides, Jeff or someone else here will be able to help you out.

How long have you had it?

How old is it?

What is the relative humidity?

What are the ambient temps?

How many hides are there?

What substrate do you use?

etc,etc,etc...

Best of luck with your friend and hope you have many happy herping years to come.
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-Iman

1.1 Sugar Gliders (Gizmo and Nema)
2.0 Balls (Spot and Speck)
0.1 Colombian BCI (Belle)
1.0 Colombian Rainbow (Rex)

Loving to Learn
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Please be nice always.

Future Project Wishlist:
0.2 BP
0.1 CRB
1.0 BCI
1.1 BRB, ARB, GRB, DB & JCP