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Shedding and abrasions...

A

AuralayKristine

New member
Hello all,

I'm a new snake owner, having only recently acquired my first corn. He's a lavender named Kaven (Gaelic for "handsome") and is about 8 months old. I've had him for about five weeks, and he's eaten four times, very readily. He began to go blue about a week ago, and this is the first time he's shed. I've been misting his viv, and I have a water bowl over the UTH to help with humidity, but unfortunately where I live it is very dry this time of year. Today I found the head and a bit of the neck that had shed in one piece, but he has not completed the rest of his shed.

I did a little research and saw that creating a moist hide is the best way to facilitate the rest of the shedding process; I went out and purchased some sphagnum moss just today. However, I didn't check the bag carefully enough, and upon arriving home I realize it's actually a sphagnum/fir peat moss mixture.

I know cedar is a big no-no, but is fir safe? Or should I return it and buy a different mixture? If so, what kind?

My second question is: I notice he has a small abrasion on top of his head, presumably from rubbing against something to begin his shed. I'll be checking his viv for sharp edges, but in the meantime, what antibiotic ointments are recommended for treating these types of cuts and scrapes? And should I wait until he has completed his shed?

Thank you very much for any advice,

Laura
 
Hi Laura :wavey: welcome to the forum.

I can't help you about the fir. I don't have enough knowledge about it. I know you can readily find sphagnum moss at most garden centers. I get a good size bag at Lowe's in the inside garden dept for around $4. It is plenty for someone who isn't keeping many snakes.

However, it is safe to use Neosporin or something similar to it for the abrasion. It is recommended that you replace the substrate with paper towels during the time that you are using the Neosporin so that some of the substrate won't stick in the ointment.

Good luck. Keep us updated.
 
You need to get this shed off first, then you can use a moist hide next time he's in blue!

You can help him complete this shed, by putting about 1/2 inch of tepid or room temp water in a plastic tub that has ventilation holes in it. Place a wash cloth in the bottom of the tub, then place your snake in the tub for about 30 minutes, with the lid on.

The moisture in the tub will help loosen the shed and the wash cloth gives your snake something soft, but textured to rub the shed off on.

Hope this helps, good luck and best wishes,
 
Thanks, I'll go with Neosporin. The trick will be getting it on him! It's right on his nose, and I doubt he'll be terribly happy with me poking about in that area, lol.

But I'll get him taken care of. Thanks so much for the reply!
 
Thanks very much!! I took your advice, and when I opened the container after thirty minutes, there was a long piece of shed skin next to him, and after letting him slither through my fingers and the cloth for a few minutes I didn't see any lingering shed. So I'm hoping that got it all. I'll keep a close eye on him the next few days as he dries, but I think we got it all! Thanks again!!!

Now, on the substrate--should I get the moss, or will the fir/sphagnum peat do, do you know?

Thanks!!! This is a great forum...wow! LoL I'm very impressed with people here.
 
Congrats on the successful shed!

I personally would stick to plain old Sphagnum moss for a moist hide. You should be able to pick it up cheaply and easily at most gardening centres as Rich said! I'm not sure if the peat would cause a problem or not, so I wouldn't chance it, just my personal opinion.

Best wishes,
 
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