• Hello!

    Either you have not registered on this site yet, or you are registered but have not logged in. In either case, you will not be able to use the full functionality of this site until you have registered, and then logged in after your registration has been approved.

    Registration is FREE, so please register so you can participate instead of remaining a lurker....

    Please be certain that the location field is correctly filled out when you register. All registrations that appear to be bogus will be rejected. Which means that if your location field does NOT match the actual location of your registration IP address, then your registration will be rejected.

    Sorry about the strictness of this requirement, but it is necessary to block spammers and scammers at the door as much as possible.

Shedding & kinks

Phaedra

Phaedra

Witty phrase
I've read up about sheds (and yep, used the search function ;)) but since Elektra has a kink I'm a little nervous. Yesterday I noticed her skin looked a little odd and I thought she might shed, and sure enough today her eyes are blue. I noticed when I took her out for handling, but then I thought I'd read that you shouldn't handle them when shedding.. does that apply for the whole 10 days or just when her eyes are blue? I don't want to go 10 days with out holding my baby!

Second, a humidity hide - I keep reading that it should be filled with damp moss, can I buy this at a pet shop? Nobody mentioned anything about humidity when I bought her and it didn't occur to me to ask. Her viv feels pretty humid to me but then again, as a human I can't really judge. In your experience, what works best for shedding?

Last - I want to be prepared if my kinky little minx has problems. I'm going to examine her very closely when she's shed - if there is a bit left, will it be very obvious or could I miss it, never having seen a snake shed before? If there is a bit left, is it right that I get a damp cloth and kind of rub her tail in it to get it off? I obviously don't want to hurt her or stress her out too much.

Sorry for the newbie questions (we were all here once). I really want to get this right :D
 
If its just a small kink I wouldnt worry, snakes are usually very good managing. Its not a huge problem handling while in shed, its just that the snakes often prefer to be left alone.

You dont need to go to a petstore to buy one, just take an empty plastic container with a lit, cut a hole in it and fill it with damp moss or paper towel. Unless its extremely dry, I dont do anything at all to help them shed, or if I do do something its mainly just moving their waterdish closer to the heat. If shes in a tank cover most of the screen lid and mist once or twice a day, it should be more then enough.

If you catch her right after shedding while the old skin is still moist on her then a damp cloth should work, if not you can soak her in shallow slightly warm water for 15 or so minutes, then work at it with a damp cloth or gentley with your fingers.
 
DaemoNox said:
You dont need to go to a petstore to buy one, just take an empty plastic container with a lit, cut a hole in it and fill it with damp moss or paper towel.
Click to expand...

I actually meant the moss, I'm not sure where to get it. Picking it off a garden wall seems a bit risky. ;) Stupid question, but if I use paper towel should it be wet?
 
Yes, then you can get it at the petstore, or even plant stores. Paper towel should be wet but wrung out, you have to watch it closer though then with the moss as it will mold and go bad a lot faster.
 
If you do buy moss from a garden center, make sure it hasn't been treated with pesticides or fertilizers of any kind. These could be bad for your snake.
 
Here's a picture of the moss my snakes love. It is called sphagnum moss. I get it at the pet store, in the substrate section. They didn't like paper towels, though I know those work for some. Mine wouldn't stay in the hide.

After your snake sheds, first inspect the shed. Look for both eye caps present, and make sure the tail section is complete. Anything other than that isn't serious.

Nanci
 

Attachments

  • Blue Zee 002cr800.jpg
    Blue Zee 002cr800.jpg
    117 KB · Views: 73
Too bad I spent $25 so I could edit my posts- you guys would have been reading that I use "shagnum" moss! :roflmao:

Nanci
 
Ok I bought some shagnum moss, and I've got an old plant pot ready to be disinfected. It has holes on the bottom that I'll stuff with moss (it'll be the top of the hide). How much moss do I need in the bottom of the hide, or does it need to be filled?
 
I have it filled, but loosely. The moss sort of expands when you get it wet. I rinse it in the sink to remove dust/dirt first, then fluff it up, then put it in the hide.

Nanci
 
I'm waiting for the disinfectant on the plant pot to dry then I'll be all set for her first shed. Since she went blue on Monday I'm guessing she'll shed next Thursday or so. I'm excited. =D

Thanks for your help, as ever. I know it's annoying answering newbie questions but hey, at least I'll never have to ask them again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top