Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a male normal rescued at 200g in Sept. 2011. He has always had good sheds. About a week ago he shed, and it took me a few days to check him (I am a new mom). When I did, I realized he did not have a complete shed. I gave him a soak a few days ago, which got some off, and have been trying to keep him humid since then. This is harder in the winter in New England! He still has some old skin on the back of his neck, and I'm pretty sure his whole head other than lower jaw. I did not find any eye scales in his original shed.

How can I help him? Should I avoid feeding him until he is clean? He is on paper towels, not many layers. Is there a better substrate that will keep moisture without molding? How about those shed sprays? Thanks!

I forgot to mention that he is housed in a Reptile Basics 32 qt Iris tub rack with belly heat.

I have had snakes have issues with shedding before. One in particular has trouble fairly often. The only thing I can do for this poor guy is give him a "steam bath" by putting him in a plastic storage container with a towel soaking in warm water for about 20-30 min. I then carefully hold him and get the skin started at the lip line where it normally starts. Once his head is free I run him through my hand and peel him like a stocking. He hates having me restrain him while I get the skin started on his head, but it is necessary and for his own good. You may have to do something similar and remove the skin by hand after softening it with warm water. As BPs are strong you may need help to hold him for this.

A
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1.0 normal BP Nicodemus
1.0 BP Moufasa pos vanilla, fire, cinny
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

Thanks! He will hate it, but I should be able to get my husband to help if I ask nicely, especially if he doesn't have the bitey end!

It worked like a charm! Just his head and the the top of his neck were stuck, so I had to pull it all off by myself, but he is clean now. Thanks!

there can be similar shed problems here in NJ in the winter. when they go into a shed cycle i put damp spaghnum moss in the hide and keep it damp until the snake sheds. another way to do it in a rack system is to spray the container while the snake is in shed to keep the humidity up. dry it after the shed. good luck. Rin

I will definitely work hard to prevent this problem in the future. Thanks for the suggestion!

Switched my bedding to coca husk two years ago for my bp's and saw a big improvement. Big meaning no more soaking. I'm in NYC and my room is dry. I spritz their hide area when they turn opaque to speed things up. The husk has to be "watered" per pkg. instuctions.

Mike