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First time shedding query

EvilRix

EvilRix

New member
Hi,

It seems that Ollie has finally started to shed as his eyes have gone blue and he's become very quiet and introvert. This is the first time he's shed since I've had him (about 4 weeks) and so I have a few questions:-

a) Is it normal for them to just lay still in their hide during this time? Ollie is usually very active but all this week he's just layed still and only moved if I disturb him. Other than his blue eyes I see no other signs of ill health.

b) Is there anything I can do to help him shed? I've added an extra bowl of water at the warm end of his house in the hope it will help humidify it more. I've also given him a bath, I read they like this and it's good for them.

c) I keep reading all scary things about shedding. How often are there complications? I've read partial shedding is a common issue. Apparently you need to soak them and then use a damp towel to rub the old skin off. This sounds tricky and I'm really not sure Ollie would tollerate this!

I really feel for Ollie at the moment. He looks so unhappy, I wish there was more I could do to help him. Any hints & tips will be appreciated!
 
Yes, they will slow down when shedding. I think it's because their sight is lessened when shedding and the less movement they make the less likely they will bring attention to themselves.

There isn't much more you can do to aid in shedding other that what you have already done.
 
Yep, it sounds like you are doing everything right.

Another option could be providing a humid hide for him. Its pretty easy, just take an old margerine container (or any small plastic container for that matter), and cut a little hole in it for him to crawl through and place some damp paper towels or moss in the bottom.

I worried too the first time Sienna shed, but it went perfectly with no help from me. I made him a humid hide, but he'd only go in if I put him there. Now the last time I just misted him once or twice a day and the shed was another great success. We'll see how it goes this time, he's in full blue right now. :)
 
I'm working on the humidity issue in my snake room. I've added a humidifier to help the general air of the room, but I still have one or two that won't shed completely. Some never have a problem. Those that don't shed well do not like soaking, they would rather I take them to the Snake Spa.

Snake Spa....

Hold onto the snake with one hand to let him move a little, you dip the fingers of your free hand in a bowl of lukewarm water. Then very gently stroke and rub the snake in the direction of the tail, moistening and loosening the old skin. Keep dipping your fingers in the water, or your whole hand (if you think you can still grip the snake), and let the snake move through your fingers.

I have one snake that I think sheds badly on purpose so she can get the royal treatment. She weaves in and out of my fingers and rubs herself on me. If she was a cat, she'd pur. But it's only because it feels good.

Just be very gentle and don't pull on the old skin, let it rub off as you're running you hand down its body.

It's really very cool! A great way to bond with your snake.
 
Shedding more often than not goes just fine, so try not to worry about anything scary you've read. I've had one incomplete shed in 5 years and bathing was very simple then.

Remember that Ollie's eyes and colouration will go back to normal a couple of days before he sheds. Keep us posted on how he gets on!
 
Thanks everyone.

Ollies eyes have now cleared so I guess it's only a matter of time before he sheds. He's become very placid during this shedding period. He layed still this morning and let me gently stroke his belly. He is normally not happy being touched and will try and avoid contact (although once picked up he is very good).
 
Hi,

Yeah I guess he will shed in the next 2 or 3 days then. When mine are shedding I really leave them alone. Imagine Your whole body is itchy and you feel strange and can't really see.....picking them up in the shedding period (or in the digestion period) results in a lot of stress. this can lead to incomplete shedding.

Good luck anyway. Keep the humidity up a little bit (around70-75%) and you'll have a wonderfull piece of skin lying around soon.

Acradon
 
Just to let you know that when humbug last shed he had some small bits of shed left on him. I just got some damp cotton wool and stroked it in the direction of the scales. It came off really easily. Just remember never to try and pull it off with youre fingers!!! But always make sure you do get rid of any last bits of shed.
 
Vicki had a good point there. It is important that the tip of tail sheds correctly. One or two scales along the body ain't too bad and won't need to be rubbed of necessarily. Just watch out for the tail and the eyecaps.

Acradon
 
Shedding seems like it would be a pretty miserable time, and I know I wouldn't feel like leaving my bed if I was about to shed my skin. lol Some snakes refuse food during this time too... Very normal. It will be hungry again when it's done.

There really isn't anything you NEED to do, but if you think the air is too dry you can raise the humidity if you like by misting or using a humid hide. Bathing is really unneccessary unless your snake is in post shed and there's still skin to come off.

The most important part of the shedding process (as mentioned above) after it sheds. Inspect the snake to make sure no skin is left on (tail tip and eye caps very important) and also check the shed to make sure the eyecaps did actually come off (if you can't tell by looking at the snake).

If you have a bad shed then next time you'll know to up the humidity during this time. Don't worry about it! :D
 
Hi everyone.

Just to update you, Ollie has now completed his shedding without a hitch. His skin came off in one piece, including the eye caps and the tail tip. He seems so much more contented now. He let me pick him up yesterday without so much as a struggle (he is sometimes a bit techy) and let me hold him for a good 15 minutes. He just curled up around my hand and let me gentle stroke his head (aw bless!).

Anyway, today is feeding day so I'll have another 5 minutes bonding session with him and then reward him with a nice fat fuzzie.

Thanks to everyone who advised me in this thread.
 
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