shedding

my corn snake is going to she dsoon and ive been told to mist the viv... how exactly do i do that do i use a spray bottle should i use tap water, or bottled water, how much should i spray, where should i spray, etc, etc...

Shedding or sloughing is a natural occurrence. Most snakes do not need misting or assistance with sloughing. The moisture does help to loosen the skin and allows it to come off easier. If your humidity is too low your snake could have a problem, then you would need to mist. As far as what you should use, I would say to use the same water that the snake drinks. If you use tap water in his bowl then tap water would be fine. If you have to treat it's drinking water then use the treated or bottled water. Usually after the snake goes through the "blue" phase and clears up would be a good time to mist. Mist the snake and the enclosure lightly to moisten the environment. That should be sufficient.

As I said earlier, you should not have to mist at all. Let the snake go through the natural process. If it has any shed remaining on it's body you can moisten it down and assist removing the shed. If that occurs you may need to mist next time.

Mike Pinkston

i dont have a humidity gauge so i dont know if i should mist it or not can someone send me a site where i can buy a digital thermom/humid gauge

Just go to your local pet store. They are not too expensive and if you go to a walmart or target, they sell hygro/thermometers (2in1) for very cheap.

i find a "moist hide" is usually more effective than misting ...put a damp paper towel under his hide after his eyes clear and keep it damp for the next few days till the snake sheds...you don't want a bad shed where it comes off in pieces ... you can use the search button to find other "moist hides" just put "moist hide"

good luck

Since you live in Florida, corns are native to your area. They will most likely do fine in the ambient humidity. I usually don't mist my corns in the summer, and they have all shed fine.

oh no he is shedding right now and its coming off in spieces.. but they are long pieces and it doesnt look like there are any empty spots int the shed.. is this bad what should i do

should i help him peel off?

My first shed came off in 4 pieces with the tail skin remaining. I simply had a damp towel and had him crawl through it. I applied a little pressure but it came off very easily. I'm sure you will have the same effect.

If you put a wet washcloth in a tub and leave the snake in there for an hour or so, (with a ventilated lid!) the rest of the shed should come off easily, like this

I had some success with putting the Kernal in a tub of very luke warm water for 15 minutes. I had a very small amount of water (not enough to swim in but still enough to cover most of his body) in the tub. The skin separated pretty easily after that.