I Need Advice On A Shedding Python

Locast0 · 10-07-2009, 05:51 PM

Okay so I bought my first snake about a month ago and he's awesome. A few days ago his eyes got the milky coloring and his coloring got dull, so I knew he's about to shed. I haven't been taking him out because of his feeding schedule. So stupid me decided to take him out real quick before I fed him tonight. I figured that since I couldn't see the old skin that I wouldn't be messing anything up. Well he was P-Oed

and bit the crud out of my hand (which he hasn't done since I first brought him home). I put him back and I noticed that some of the shedding skin had been scraped off in the process.

So I was wondering if this was a big deal. I know that patchy skin loss is indicative of health problems, but I didn't know if it was vital to the process or could potentially cause problems for him. I'm keeping the humidity high and misting the cage. Should I be worried or just keep an eye on it?

By the way, he is a 4 month old Jungle Carpet Python. I will post pics after he sheds.

Thanks!

recklesshoundog · 10-07-2009, 05:55 PM

They can get very testy during a shed....as you've discovered!!

Does he have a pan he can soak in? Sounds like your doing right, I'm guessing the skin came off in patches because he got animated when you picked him up. I don't think I'd worry too much.

Nice choice in a snake, they are beauties!

pasomystic · 10-08-2009, 01:42 PM

I find a moist "hide" works best, since I use aspen shavings as bedding, I don't want to mist the whole cage, plus it also marks up the glass with minerals as the water dries. My hide is a fake rock that splits in two and I put moist moss in there to help with shedding. My six yr old corn also has a large ceramic water dish she can submerge in if needed. She used to shed in pieces when I first got her, but now always sheds whole.

MustangKatie · 10-08-2009, 01:57 PM

When I had my snake if he was having trouble shedding I would let him soak in a 'bath' id fill up a container with warm water and let him soak in it for awhile (if they won't stay in it put a lid on it just make sure its not full to the top and that there are holes in the lid so they can breath..) after a few min (bout 5) I would take him out and be holding a paper towel and let him squirm his way through my hands, leaving the shed in my hands in the paper towel..

although mine never bit me so that all depends on if you want to risk your hand again!

beezwing · 10-08-2009, 05:55 PM

Yes...verra cranky whilst shedding

leave him/her alone until it is done, a water dish he/she can get into...and don't worry about it to much.

we have one too, her name is Agatha and she is about 5 feet now...not really my department, I mostly admire her from afar

k

Locast0 · 10-08-2009, 07:43 PM

Thanks everyone for the replies! So I guess me being overly worried paid off, because when I woke up this morning he had shed his entire skin. His bites don't hurt, they just surprise me.

Anyways, thanks for the help!

WhiskeyTango · 10-16-2009, 11:57 AM

my snakes would always get grouchy when I even looked at them when they were shedding!

Just keep humidity high 80-90%..and even soak him in warm water.It will be fine.

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10-07-2009, 05:51 PM
Locast0 Newborn Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 33	I Need Advice On A Shedding Python Okay so I bought my first snake about a month ago and he's awesome. A few days ago his eyes got the milky coloring and his coloring got dull, so I knew he's about to shed. I haven't been taking him out because of his feeding schedule. So stupid me decided to take him out real quick before I fed him tonight. I figured that since I couldn't see the old skin that I wouldn't be messing anything up. Well he was P-Oed and bit the crud out of my hand (which he hasn't done since I first brought him home). I put him back and I noticed that some of the shedding skin had been scraped off in the process. So I was wondering if this was a big deal. I know that patchy skin loss is indicative of health problems, but I didn't know if it was vital to the process or could potentially cause problems for him. I'm keeping the humidity high and misting the cage. Should I be worried or just keep an eye on it? By the way, he is a 4 month old Jungle Carpet Python. I will post pics after he sheds. Thanks!

10-07-2009, 05:55 PM
recklesshoundog Seasoned Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NY Posts: 4,408	They can get very testy during a shed....as you've discovered!! Does he have a pan he can soak in? Sounds like your doing right, I'm guessing the skin came off in patches because he got animated when you picked him up. I don't think I'd worry too much. Nice choice in a snake, they are beauties!

10-08-2009, 01:42 PM
pasomystic Started Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Alberta Posts: 2,037	I find a moist "hide" works best, since I use aspen shavings as bedding, I don't want to mist the whole cage, plus it also marks up the glass with minerals as the water dries. My hide is a fake rock that splits in two and I put moist moss in there to help with shedding. My six yr old corn also has a large ceramic water dish she can submerge in if needed. She used to shed in pieces when I first got her, but now always sheds whole. __________________ We don't see things as they are. We see things as we are. Anais Nin

10-08-2009, 01:57 PM
MustangKatie Yearling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 676	When I had my snake if he was having trouble shedding I would let him soak in a 'bath' id fill up a container with warm water and let him soak in it for awhile (if they won't stay in it put a lid on it just make sure its not full to the top and that there are holes in the lid so they can breath..) after a few min (bout 5) I would take him out and be holding a paper towel and let him squirm his way through my hands, leaving the shed in my hands in the paper towel.. although mine never bit me so that all depends on if you want to risk your hand again! __________________

10-08-2009, 05:55 PM
beezwing Started Join Date: May 2007 Location: louisiana Posts: 2,599	Yes...verra cranky whilst shedding leave him/her alone until it is done, a water dish he/she can get into...and don't worry about it to much. we have one too, her name is Agatha and she is about 5 feet now...not really my department, I mostly admire her from afar k __________________ “Preach the gospel at all times, if necessary use words.” St Francis

10-08-2009, 07:43 PM
Locast0 Newborn Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 33	Thanks everyone for the replies! So I guess me being overly worried paid off, because when I woke up this morning he had shed his entire skin. His bites don't hurt, they just surprise me. Anyways, thanks for the help!

10-16-2009, 11:57 AM
WhiskeyTango Newborn Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Louisiana Posts: 45	my snakes would always get grouchy when I even looked at them when they were shedding! Just keep humidity high 80-90%..and even soak him in warm water.It will be fine.