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Originally Posted by DollysMom
UPDATE: when Dolly vacated the shedding box, I got a good look at him and couldn't see any stuck skin on his tail. Then I looked among the spaghnum and found the missing tail shed in one really nice and soggy piece. Our little friends really do know how to take care of themselves if we give them what they need. I feel much better now that I know the shed is complete. He's back in his warm hide. It was really gratifying to have made the shedding box and to have it work so well. P.S. I have turned off the light.
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Yay! They have the most beautiful colors right after a shed. They are amazing creatures, and are fascinating to watch. They can take care of themselves in the wild but in captivity they are dependent on us to keep them safe and healthy.
Very good of you to check him thoroughly after a shed, if there is ever anything left of the shed you can hold him with a wet paper towel or washcloth and let him slither through it, the water will loosen the shed and the soft friction will pull it off. For the tail tip I have rolled it back and forth gently to loosen it and used my fingernail very lightly to pick at it. If it all doesn't come off he will keep growing and the stuck shed will hinder growth in that area and kill the live tissue, especially the tail. Kind of like rubber banding a dog's ears to cut them off, (a totally sickening practice, but it makes the point) it cuts off the circulation and will kill off the live tail tip.
If you want to see him at night get some LED lights, they put out no heat and are soft enough not to harm them but you will get to see him out at night.
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