Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi

I have a clutch of JCP hatchlings that are going into shed. One of them is clearly ready to shed but for some reason it won't. What I mean is that all the skin ha become dry/semi-detached but the snake won't shed. The humidity is very high (its cage mate already shed without any problems). Is there any thing I can do for it? Is it bad to leave it in the condition it its in now?

any help is much appreciated

Omer

try misting the snake himself and see if that helps. i've done this with my 7+ foot adult male at times and it helps. once the skin gets started i've even helped him shed by holding him fermly and the shed will start to come off in my hands. also is the snake drinking water? that helps too. just some of my exp...

It's important to have a moist substrate for mthem. I've kept a dozen or so in a tub with constantly damp paper towels. All most all of them will shed on their own that way. The ones that have shed are easy to pick out afterwards.

When they get that krinkly skin condition they MUST be dampened.

You can also try soaking him in a small amount (1/4 to 1/2 inch) of warm water. Place a small piece of cork bark or rock for him to rub against in the water and close him up for a couple hours. The water will soften the shed and as he climbs around he'll rub against the cork.

Hand shedding (using either water, mineral oil, or commercially available "shed-aid" can also work, but be very very gentle so as not to hurt or stress the snake.

Try soaking him daily for 1-2 hours as described above for 2-3 days and see if you make any progress.
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lost in the jungle somewhere
Z