Routine Incomplete Sheds...

[JollieMollie]

Hey all,

My male anery, "Henery", has had his second shed in my care recently and both sheds were extremely poor. Last time I had to bathe him, use a wet towel, bath him some more... about a half hour or more process. THis time, my parents are caring for him while I'm away, and they ended up having to pick off most of the skin.

THe most common explination I've heard for incomplete sheds is humidity problems, which is a possibility since I live in a desert. However, both of my other snakes always shed quite nicely without any misting. I'm wondering if incomplete sheds could have to do with a nutritional deficiency? He was a little unhealthy and weak when I got him, but he's being fed well now. I'm just wondering if humidity is the only factor or not... any advice? Thanks!

 

[Tula_Montage]

Stress is a big factor for incomplete sheds... I would offer him a moist hide the next time he goes into shed. I usually don't mist any of my snakes enclosures during shed, but I will routinley spray the inside of their clay hides during shed cycles as clay holds in moisture.

 

[desertanimal]

I live in a desert, too, but all I have to do is make sure I spray down the clay flowerpots my snakes use as hides when they're in blue, and they shed with no problems. I'd try that to see if it works, if nothing other than to eliminate it from consideration, before becoming concerned about other problems.

 

[Cegninedorf]

I live in a desert, too, but all I have to do is make sure I spray down the clay flowerpots my snakes use as hides when they're in blue, and they shed with no problems. I'd try that to see if it works, if nothing other than to eliminate it from consideration, before becoming concerned about other problems.

My snake, too, has been dealing with incomplete sheds since I adopted him, and I'm pretty sure that he had this issue before I got him, as well. I left him alone to see how his last shed would go...and he did much better. He got about 85% of it all off himself (I wasn't home when he began his shed...), and then I ran him through a damp towel for the rest and he almost appeared to be smiling at me. I have heard of using a clay pot in the tank, but -- and I don't mean to sound stupid -- do you just take the pot and put it in, upside down? How does this clay pot-deal work? Do you have to sand down the drainage hole so that it's not too rough, or...? :shrugs:

Thanks!

 

[desertanimal]

I break out a little "door" in the rim using pliers. I don't ever sand down the drainage hole. I do have a few snakes who get mid-body scuff marks from time to time from trying to go in that way, but I figure they'll figure it out or get too big to try.