Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone know the best way to remove old skin from a not fully completed shed? Specifically for the tip of the tail. Thanks for the help!

- Ali

Use running water from the sink faucet.....just make sure it feels slightly cooler than your hands. Then run the water over your boas skin, and after a few minutes the water should loosen the shed.....If it does not.... do not force it....keep soaking. Gently rub your fingers in the direction the shed should come off and it should peel down. Hope this helps, Andy

Should I put the snakes tail under running water, or put the water in a bowl and then soak? And also, what are some bad things that can happen because of old skin like that left on the boa?

- ALi

Do not worry about putting the boa under running water. Instead put it in a rubber maid with a lid and a small amount of water for a couple minutes. Don't make the water too hot or cold, the shed should come off pretty easy after a couple minutes of saoking.

He's already in a rubbermaid with a water bowl, and he soaks all the time. But it just doesn't seem to come off.

Sorry, maybe I should of been more detailed. I don't mean to keep him in a rubbermaid with a water bowl inside. What I mean is to use a small rubbermaid with water in it.... inside the rubbermaid. Fill it with water, it does not need to be so high to where your boa is fully submerged, just part. I also noticed that warmm water works best when trying to remove some shed.

This is a BCC, he's not going to get too stressed is he?

Your boa should be fine, you're only keeping him in there for maybe 15 minutes.

What are some problems that can occure because of a bad shed?