Tavia,

This is the wrong time of year for the species to be shedding. I suspect you are keeping your specimens at unnatural temperatures at this time of year. No big deal.



When a boa is not able to properly shed it skin, it is because its internal water balance is not proper--that is, it is somewhat dehydrated. You need to place the boa in a jar with a small amount of water in the bottom and leave it there for 15 - 30 minutes, possibly longer depending on just how dehydrated it may have gotten. For a small boa, a quart jar with 1/4" of water is fine and for an adult, 1/2" of water in a gallon jar is suitable. Make sure you have a secure lid with air holes. It generally takes a while for the boa to settle down but once it does, it will drink and soak.



After a period of time, removed the boa and you can usually assist by manually helping it shed. If the skin will not readily come off, then you need to soak the boa for a longer period of time. If the snake has eaten recently, you need to moniter it as if it passes a scat in the water, you need to remove the snake and clean out the jar as you do not want the snake to drink contaminated water. This is very important.



Richard F. Hoyer

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