My case is pretty confusing too. First shed with me, I didn't mist, everything went well. Second shed, same thing. Third shed, 3 peices, and a bit left on the tip of the tail... oops! I took it off gently and misted the tank for the next shed. Everything went well. My guess is, it got pretty dry in my appartment because of winter coming and the electric heat starting to heat my appartment. Since I'm using a 33 gal aquarium with one of those black tops with two doors, the aquarium's humidity level is pretty much the same as my appart, even with the water bowl on the undertank heatpad (which is glued UNDER the glass, yes!). So I'm now misting my snake when in blue during winter from now on! Hope that helps!