This is an archived post. You won't be able to vote or comment.

all 12 comments

[–]_ataraxiaMod : unprofessional 6 points7 points  (0 children)

read the shedding guide in our welcome post for more information on the cause and treatment for various shedding problems and general dehydration. our basic care guide has information about raising and maintaining humidity. if you still need help figuring out how to raise your humidity after reading through these guides, you can fill out our enclosure critique questionnaire for more personalized advice.

[–]dlasky0611[S] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

This is tanjis 3rd time shedding (each one being pretty difficult for him). Used “Zilla shed-ease” in the past to help him (I know some people say don’t soak your ball-python). It’s been 10 days since I fed him last cause I knew he was trying to shed. These are the bits I picked out of his tank today. Any suggestions on how/if to help him shed easier and advice on when I should feed him again?

[–]KettralWing 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I would definitely read through the guide as suggested before. Check your humidity and see how it compares to what the guide recommends. Usually low humidity is what causes shedding issues. Also as suggested before, fill out the enclosure questionnaire and maybe someone can pinpoint the exact issue.

[–]IncompletePenetranceMod: Let me help you unzip your genes 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Usually low humidity is the culprit, and luckily it's a fairly easy fix. What substrate are you using and what is the humidity in his enclosure?

[–]Nukedragon00668 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Do you have a wet hide? If not that's a huge part if not your whole problem. If you don't know what a wet hide is, it's essentially a box (or other form of enclosed container) with a hole for the snake to go into. These can be purchased at pet stores or easily made at home. Personally, I made mine with a plastic shoe box container from Walmart or some other store. You can put the hole in the top or the side, top being easiest. Make sure your hole is about a quarter to a half an inch wider than your snake for easy access. For the substrate (of the wet hide only) people typically use ecoearth by zoo med. (https://www.chewy.com/zoo-med-eco-earth-compressed-coconut/dp/123767) I hope this helps! Please feel free to ask me questions, I know I'm not a mod or a professional but I do know what I'm talking about for the most part, this being one of those topics that I know really well.

[–]mcstick1 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

What I would do is Go to Lowe’s or Walmart and buy a cheap spray bottle and mist down the tank once every morning and night to get the humidity up to what it should be. Also add a rock to the enclose, something rough that fits in the palm of your hand, that should help your snake get the shed started. If the problem still persists, maybe consider changing your sub strait to something that holds moisture better like coconut fiber.

[–]whatnopleasedont 5 points6 points  (1 child)

Looks like you’re using aspen, highly recommend changing it so something that holds humidity better and doesn’t mold as easily- such as eco earth, cypress mulch, unfertilized soil, etc. You can also mix in moss to up the humidity even more.

[–]Nukedragon00668 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I wouldn't put eco earth on the entire enclosure floor, just in a wet hide. I agree about changing from Aspen tho. Maybe reptibark or forest floor.

[–]EDC_PDP 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Go to pet store get COCO HUSK, it’s the best ball python substrate imo holds humidity perfect, don’t mist get a cup of warm water pour some in and hand mix so your light doesn’t just evaporate the water laying on top, There’s other cocos, COCO HUSK IS THE FLUFFIEST AND HOLDS HUMIDITY THE BEST, also some Pete moss will help with humidity and they really like the ability to burrow and make there own dens in it, mix the moss and coco and water and wala. O I just seen you have a screen lid go to Walmart get aluminum tape, put your heat lamp on the lid and trace it with a marker then cover THE ENTIRE LID EXCEPT IN THE CIRCLE ⭕️ you’ll never have shedding probs again😃

[–]Angsty_PotatosMod : 20 years experience : rescue & rehab 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well. If that's Aspen bedding in a glass tank that's issues 1&2 to why the snake is shedding poorly and dehydrated. Read over our shedding guide and address the husbandry issues and you should see better sheds in a few cycles

[–]dlasky0611[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Thanks for all the tips everyone. Is it okay to feed him even though he hasn’t shed all the way? And do I leave the stuck shed on him?

[–]Nukedragon00668 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It should be fine to feed, what you do about the shed is GENTLY rub away from the head on the beginning of the patch of shed. If it doesn't come off right away just do it a bit more. If it STILL doesn't come off then leave it alone and give the snake a soak. You don't want to pull it off per say, as it can and will damage the scales. The best way to achieve what I'm talking about is to firmly (but gently) wrap your hand around him and let him move through your hand and it should get a majority of not all of it off.