Shedding Problems

[JKarmosay]

Hi all,
First I'd like to say I'm a new member here, and I just recently got my first corn snake. :D
Anyway, when I first got the snake I put it in its tank to let it get adjusted, and when I came up not more than 10 minutes later it had shed!
And perfectly too, the entire skin came off in one clean piece.
However, the past two sheddings have been unsuccessful, and the snake hadn't even been able to get its skin off. I had to soak it in some warm water and gently rub it off.
At first I thought it was due to the substrate I was using, corncob, so I changed to a more suitable one, some kind of wood mulch, and I had been misting frequently prior to its second unsuccessful shed. After seeing it unable to shed for the second time, I don't know what to do.
If you know of anything I can do to prevent this in the future, please tell me. Thank you.

P.S. I still don't even have a name for my snake - any suggestions?

[Sssss.]

well, my corn snake had the same problem and i had to soak in in water. i also was told to try raising the huminity in the tank.




p.s. my snakes name is Fred

[Nanci]

When you know your snake is going blue, do one or more or all of the following:

Get a humidistat so you can tell what the humidity is, not guess. Flukers sells a combo thermometer/humidity gauge for under $20. Put that where you can see it, on top of the substrate or on a hide.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/nlevake/ZeesShed005_600.jpg


Put plastic wrap over the screen lid, leaving the edges open for ventilation. Depending on how well humidity is maintained, you may also need to mist the viv a little, or even mist the underside of the plastic wrap.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/nlevake/ZeesShed003_600.jpg

Make sure the water bowl is topped off. If room allows, put in a larger water bowl.

Make a moist hide/humid hide. Take a plastic container of the same size as the snake's hides, cut a snake-sized door in it, and fill with damp sphagnum moss or paper towels. I prefer moss. Do not use Flukers All natural moss- it has green dye that comes out. Some snakes go in the hide on their own, some refuse to use it, some can be put in and will stay. I position the hide over the UTH if the snake has been hanging out in the warm hide, otherwise, just anywhere.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/nlevake/ZeesShed004_600.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/nlevake/Vivs019sm.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/nlevake/MoistHideZee002_600.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/nlevake/MoistHideMaizey001_600.jpg

Nanci

[Nanci]

Happy snake in moist hide:

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o307/nlevake/BlueZee002cr800.jpg

Nanci

[snakemom1961]

Nanci pretty much outlined everything you can do to avoid a bad shed.
If for some reason your unable to get a humid hide or get the humidity right. You can do what I had to do for Brogan his last shed. I put him in a tupperware with a moist washcloth for an hour and that did the trick, After the hour he shed the rest of his skin and was no worse the ware.

[Susan]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Nanci again.

Super post Nanci! The pictures say a thousand words and are a terrific addition!

[JKarmosay]

Thanks for all the help. I will try to get some moss and create a new hide for my snake around next shed time.

[Nanci]

Super post Nanci! The pictures say a thousand words and are a terrific addition!

Thank you Susan. I just happened to have a blue snake laying around in my bedroom. Seems like I just got done with three that shed about a week ago, and now the first one is blue again. His increased prey size/feeding frequency must be agreeing with him!

Nanci

[Sssss.]

hey, i was just wondering where u get the humidstat and moss

[Nanci]

I bought the Flukers Thermometer/Humidistat at Petco or Petsmart- they both carry it and I have about six of them. Or just Froogle it and buy on line- you'll save a few bucks, but then there's shipping...

I bought the moss at Petco. My Petsmart only carried Flukers, which although it says "all natural" is dyed a very bright green which comes out when it gets wet. So you want the duller, olive-colored natural moss. I've also read about people buying sphagnum moss at a garden center- I think it's used with orchids- but I wouldn't buy it there if I could find it at a pet store, and if I obught it from a garden center, I'd read the package very carefully to make sure it doesn't have any chemicals or anything added, and that it is sterilized.

Nanci