Snake problems!

Hey everyone, I need some advice! My baby ball python is having a really hard time shedding. This is his second shed and he just cant seem to get the skin off. Its almost as if he has given up. Ive been keeping the humidity hight in his tank and I soaked him in warm water and it just doesnt seem to help. Any suggestions? I love this snake so much. With love, Em

Hi Em, I've got a ball python that I've had for about 4 years now, we got him as a hatchling. Now he's about 4 feet long. Sometimes what we do when he's having a bad shed, is we take a pillowcase (preferably flannel) and soak it in warm water, then wring it out. Then we put the snake in the damp pillowcase, twist the end and tuck it under, and put it in the cage in the warm part (otherwise the pillowcase gets chilly) and leave him in there for a while. Another thing to try is just to line the bottom of his cage with wet towels or washcloths, the terrycloth is wet and rough and it's easier for him to rub the skin off on it. You can also make a "humidity hide box" with a plastic bowl (like a margarine bowl), you turn it upside down, make an opening in the side (make sure the edges aren't too sharp) and fill it with damp sphagnum/reptile moss or washcloths. When he does shed, make sure to check the skin that comes off if you can, to make sure his eye caps have come off. Sometimes the eye caps stay on, and then the eye gets infected underneath. Now my snake is smart enough that when he's getting ready to shed, he just curls up in his water dish and soaks, and usually he can get the skin off himself. Yours might learn to do that eventually as well when he gets older. Good luck, Patti

Hey Patti, Thanks so much for the advice. I soaked Paisley (ball python) in warm water for a while tonight what he seemed to really enjoy. When I took him out I put him in a towel and when he slithered around the skin slowly fell off. Luckily Ive been handling Paisley since he was a baby so he isnt head shy so he let me remove his eye caps with no problems. I think most of the skin is off now but I will leave a damp towel in his cage for tonight and check him again in the morning. Boy is he getting big!!! Maybe its because of his HUGE appetite! With love, Em

I just bought a young snow corn snake and I too worry about her first shed. I have her in bed-a-beast substrate and I spray it every other day until it is just misted. Snakes are super cool, I like them almost as much as my beardies. Anyone want a bearded dragon? I have some for sale. Take care

Hi Emily, I've had Sherman (my students named him) for about 4 years now and I'd say about every other shed I'm at the sink rubbing off the skin left behind! I usually try to up the humidity when he starts getting his pink belly and hazy eyes, yet it rarely seems to help. As long as you're sure all the extra skin is off I've not had any skin issues with him. I love the 1st reply you received though. Going to copy that one for the next time. Enjoy your ball... I love mine and PetCo has some babies on sale and I sooooo want to buy one. Dawn