Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well Im assuming my corn wont eat because it was getting ready to shed so that helps, but its shedding weird. Instead of being a whole shed its just flaking off the snake. There is a waterbowl for it to loosen up in. But it is just flaking off the snake, would this be a sign of skin disease or just a stressed snake?

Thanks in advance,

Don

if you can take him out and mist him down while you hold him and the old skin should start to come off.
when snakes shed they need extra humidity to help the old skin come off. some folks put in a humid hide box at shedding time. you can use any type of container with a lid. cut a hole in it so snake can get in. you can use moist paper towels, moss or something that retains moisture.
personally i just mist down my tanks a bit when one of my snakes goes into shedding mode. then when they get ready to actually shed i will take them out and mist them while i hold them. they always have a perfect shed.
another thing i do with my snakes is i have the screen lids on glass tanks. so i have half of the lid covered with seran wrap to help keep some humidity in. hope this helps.

once you get the rest of the old skin off. give him a day or so and he should eat now.

Here is my cut and pasted response to shedding problems:

If your snake has started to shed, but has patchy unshed skin remaining, take a plastic animal cage, such as the Kritter Keepers, which are sold by pet stores and animal suppliers, of an appropriate size. Make sure the container is secure! Nothing is worse than finding that your snake has escaped the container. Put about 1/2 to one inch of warm water in the bottom. Then put several paper towels in on top of the water. Put the snake in there. Then put a few dripping wet paper towels on top of the snake. Leave the snake in there for about 30 minutes. Check to see if the snake has completely shed. If not, put the snake back in for another 30 minutes. Repeat as necessary. I have also heard of people using small towels in these containers. The beauty of paper towels is that you can just throw them away instead of having to wash them. You can also take a wet sock, for a small snake; or a wet pillow case, for a larger snake; and put the snake into it, secure the top, and put the whole thing into the snake’s cage overnight.
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phflame