Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys....my ball python had an incomplete shed with some skin left over on her neck and top of head....i was gonna go to the pet store to get a rate for her to eat but she was going into another one...now she has 2 layers of skin on her head and neck, i fed her today but the skin didnt come off. She is very skitzy and doesnt like when anybody or thing goes near her head....i spray her all the time to helo moisten the skin to get it off but it doesnt work. So how can I get the skin off? PLEASE HELP ME!

Step 1 give her a steam bath by putting her in a small plastic tub/tote with warm water or warm water bottles and a towel wet with warm water for 20-30 min. That should make the skin soften up. With 2 layers of skin you my want to let her steem longer.

Step 2 you will just have to hold her head and peel. She wont like it and will squerm to get away but it needs to be done. I have had to help a number of my snakes with stuck shed over the years and wile they don't like being restrained it is for their own good and they get over it quickly when it is done. If your BP is a big strong girl then you may need help holding her body wile you work on her head.

Hope this helps.

A
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1.0 BP Nicodemus
0.4 Cal Kings 3 alb 1 het Dora Queen Ace Pearl
2.0 Alb Corn Bizaar Elixir
0.0.1 Rev Alb Nelsons Oden?
0.0.1 toad Jabba

Put the snake in a container with a secure lid and some air holes. Add just enough water to come half way up the snake's body-too much water and the snake could drown. Leave the snake in there for several hours or even a whole day. You can also set the container back in the cage. When the stuck shed is ready to come off, it will come off easily on its own or with some gentle rubbing. Repeat the process as needed. I would not pull the skin off the snake. There are commercial shed ease sprays that help this process but the soaking is still needed. Some other tricks is after the snake has soaked, put her into a wet pillow case and this will help remove the stuck skin as she crawls around. Also soaking in a mixture of water and aspen shavings does wonders in removing stuck shed. Maintain proper humidity at all times in the cage and this will result in easy sheds for your snake. Bill
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...three years ago it was just another snake cult...
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The problem is its on top of her head not bottom