shedding problem

[jethro1]

hi folks
we have 18mth old childrens python that refuses to shed by its self.he is feeding well and is in a proper enclosure with a female 3yr children python who sheds without probs so iam pretty sure the problem is not related to its environment..if we do not intervene he just gets old and crinkly looking.appreciate any advice on how to remedy the problem

 

[Lockie]

Hi Jethro,

Have you tried placing a large water bowl under the heat source? This will raise the humidity in the enclosure, and should aid in shedding. You should put the water bowl in as soon as you notice he's going into shed, and leave it in there until he's done shedding.

If that doesn't work, or if you've tried it already, you could give one of the shedding sprays a go - basically they're just a bottle of liquid that contains moisturises and skin conditioners to help the shedding process.

Let me know how you go.


regards,
Lockie.

 

[Jungletrans]

Just had the same problem with a yearling Jungle . He looked really bad and l was worried as l have seen them die from extreem poor condition . Put him in a clickclack with warm water half full , 20 min per day . Watching him constantly , next to the TV made it easy . A bit more came off every day as he rehydrated till Friday there was just some on his head . Then this morning , another full shed and a brand new snake .

 

[mysnakesau]

After giving them a soak like that Jungletrans you can easily peel off the old skin without causing any harm to your snake. A soak like that will soften it to a point where it will lift away effortlessly.

I have a Port Mac female who has appeared "lazy" with her last 3 sheds. I have assisted her to remove an otherwise, all-in-one shed. I had tried leaving her to see if she would do it herself overnight but the last shed, she made no attempt. The skin on her head lifted the day before, and next morning she still had it on there and it had dried and stuck down. So I soaked her for a good half hour and then assisted to get it moving. It is quite fun - its like getting wet swimmers off, it just rolls down the body. When I got two-thirds of the way she then slithered out leaving a perfect shed skin behind.

I don't know if I have created a lazy snake being too keen to intervene or whether she is in fact having difficulty shedding. Next shed if she does it again I might just take her to the doctor for a health check.

 

[jethro1]

i have a large saucer of water in the enclosure at all times and his mate is shedding beautifully which makes me think the humidity is ok. i put him in the bath and soaked a layer of skin but he is still that opaque colour and looks like he needs another shed.
can anyone recommend a good moisturiser which would help. him shed himself.maybe i have the worlds laziest snake lol.a bit like having a teenager in the house

Hi Jethro,

Have you tried placing a large water bowl under the heat source? This will raise the humidity in the enclosure, and should aid in shedding. You should put the water bowl in as soon as you notice he's going into shed, and leave it in there until he's done shedding.

If that doesn't work, or if you've tried it already, you could give one of the shedding sprays a go - basically they're just a bottle of liquid that contains moisturises and skin conditioners to help the shedding process.

Let me know how you go.


regards,
Lockie.

 

[tenacres1100]

hi folks
we have 18mth old childrens python that refuses to shed by its self.he is feeding well and is in a proper enclosure with a female 3yr children python who sheds without probs so iam pretty sure the problem is not related to its environment..if we do not intervene he just gets old and crinkly looking.appreciate any advice on how to remedy the problem

did he shed on his own before you had them housed together? maybe it's stress related? Try housing them on their own and see what happens next time.

 

[jethro1]

did he shed on his own before you had them housed together? maybe it's stress related? Try housing them on their own and see what happens next time.

no they only got together in the last few mths .he has had this problem since birth. i think he has only shed twice naturally but that was over a year ago.

 

[tenacres1100]

if he shed on his own before then you may just need a little more humidity than he's getting. Try having 2 water bowls one under the heat when you know he's coming up to a shed and see what happens. What type of substrat do you have?

 

[jethro1]

i have a heat mat under sand with his cave half on the mat and half without heat plus another cave at the end of the enclosure without heat . the healthy snake is often seen out and about at night and goes to the unheated cave regularly but the problem snake only seems to come out when food is on offer.

if he shed on his own before then you may just need a little more humidity than he's getting. Try having 2 water bowls one under the heat when you know he's coming up to a shed and see what happens. What type of substrat do you have?