Shedding question

[Saxon_Aus]

Hi Everyone
I just wanted some quick advise re: my yearling albino darwin. I've noticed he's started shedding today, but instead of slip his skin in a whole it seems to be peeling off similar to how a lizard shed

is this normal or is there something going on I should worry about. I've never seen this in my other snakes, so would like some advice. See the pic below

 

[SarahScales]

Hmm, I've not had a problem shed with my lot... But I know GTP's can do this if the humidity isn't high enough. May want to provide him a bowl to soak in and give him a light spritz of water from one of those hand sprayers.

Just remembered: When my beardy was having a miserable time with his face shed (I've never seen him so sad ), I soaked him in a bath of warm water and he loved it. It also helped because allot of the patches soaked off in the water. With beardys, you shouldn't help them shed but I don't know if this is the same with snakes, you may be able to gentle stroke the old shed off.

 

[J-A-X]

Agree, give a decent size bowl that he can have a swim in, patchy slough can be lack of humidity or stress related. Keep an eye on him, don't leave anything on there for more than a few days if he's had a good swim and it's still hanging around, stroking with a damp hand towel will normally do the trick for anything that seems to be 'stuck' I make it damp first and give it chance to "soak in" before stoking it away

 

[reb01]

Looks extremely dry...When i notice any of my snakes about to shed i place a large water bowl near the heat,which increases the humity..NEVER had any issues with shedding...I would bath him-her for a few minutes and hopefully the shed will be ok..

 

[Saxon_Aus]

thanks guys good advice, there is a nice large water bowl under the heater, but haven't seen him in it. I'll give him a bath - how warm is warm? 32-33 degrees or cooler?

- - - Updated - - -

ok, added another big bowl of water under the heater area and gave him a spray, judging by the blood on my fingers I can't say he truely enjoyed his shower....

 

[snakes4me2]

A good soak and place into a damp pillow case for a while will also help.

 

[Rob]

You seem to already be on the right track.

Here is a thread from a while back that may be of assistance: http://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/general-reptile-discussion-42/bhp-assist-shed-pic-heavy-190702/

 

[Justdragons]

thats the link i was looking for Rob..lol I did this with my stimi and worked a treat.. looks like he is having a hard time.. GL

 

[Saxon_Aus]

just went and have a check and he's "in progress" with his shed, rubbing up against the scenery, hopefully that did the trick

 

[Saxon_Aus]

Are Albino Darwins already cheap enough to have as first snakes?

Not sure, It's not my first snake if that's what you mean

 

[SarahScales]

I hope everything works out for you

 

[pythonmum]

A good soak and place into a damp pillow case for a while will also help.

This is the best approach. More detail: put him in a click clack with about 2 cm of lukewarm water for 15 minutes, then put him in a damp pillowcase for about the same amount of time, rubbing gently to help the slough. It will be messy because he is very dry and the skin is flaking. Gradually rub off the retained shed with the damp pillow slip, making sure that the face and tail tip are fully shed (this is where you get most difficulties). He may not like it, but it is good for him!

 

[Saxon_Aus]

ok - problem sorted - thanks everyone! a couple of good soaks and a gentle rub with a damp pillow case and everything seems to be OK - thanks for the help everyone

 

[J-A-X]

Glad he's all cleaned off

 

[Stuart]

Now you need to post a picture of the show off in his new skin.

 

[SarahScales]

Well done! Glad the people here could help!

 

[Saxon_Aus]

Now you need to post a picture of the show off in his new skin.

here we go:

looks nice and happy

 

[Rob]

Have you changed anything in the enclosure recently that may have caused this problematic slough ?

 

[Saxon_Aus]

Have you changed anything in the enclosure recently that may have caused this problematic slough ?

nothing I can think of, its the first slough he's had with me as I haven't had him that long. We have had a few quite hot days here in melbourne, but there wasn't excessive temp rise in the enclosure. It was strange I didn't notice the obvious signs of shedding that my other guys get ?maybe due to the pink eyes, harder to pick the milkyness?

I'm going to swop the enclosure substrate to critter crumble, see if that aids the humidity.