Should I or should I not?

[Jrich]

My Kenyan sand boa had a bad shed two weeks ago and has finally shed everything off except for a piece that's right on top of his head. I didn't want to yank it off so I gave him a mini soak to loosen it up but it's been a few days and is still there. I think it's obstructing his eyes. Any tips/methods I can do to finally get it off? Just didn't want to hurt the little bugger or pull it off the wrong way.

[jossh27]

I probably should suggest anything, but i had read I this forum that someone used a warm wet cloth and gently removed it that way.

[Aaron_S]

I would use the cloth method too. Warm and wet and allow the snake to slither through the cloth in your hand. Just be sure to cup your hand/fingers to rub the top of the head as the snake moves.

[toddnbecka]

I'd put him into a small tub of damp sphagnum moss for a day (8 hours or so) to loosen the stuck shed first. My carpet python had a bad first shed from low humidity, but after being content to hang out in a damp washcloth folded over him/her while I was at work the rest of the shed came off easily and cleanly that night. I doubt your sand boa would be as likely to sleep in a damp washcloth all day though, so the sphagnum moss would likely be a better alternative.

[Jrich]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I will try them out.

[reptiledude987]

This advice sounds solid. I'm just curious what could be done to prevent this from occuring in the first place? Given their reccommended conditions would a humid hide be advisable? they dont typically have a need for much of a humidity level just seems like an odd issue for this species.

[Jrich]

I really don't know. I know ksbs require low humidity so I don't offer him a humid hide but I do offer him a very small water dish. I was thinking the issue was odd too. Usually he sheds in one or two clean pieces but sometimes when I see he's in blue I'll give the tank a light misting or two to help out. It may not even be necessary but I didn't mist this time around and he had a terrible shed. I thought the shed would for sure come off with him always burrowing in the sand.

[Jrich]

Using an old rough damp washcloth was a success. I think he might've actually enjoyed it because he would allow me to stroke the sides and top of his head while he was in the cloth and did not thrash and kept pushing against my fingers until the old shed came off. Thanks again.

[Aaron_S]

I really don't know. I know ksbs require low humidity so I don't offer him a humid hide but I do offer him a very small water dish. I was thinking the issue was odd too. Usually he sheds in one or two clean pieces but sometimes when I see he's in blue I'll give the tank a light misting or two to help out. It may not even be necessary but I didn't mist this time around and he had a terrible shed. I thought the shed would for sure come off with him always burrowing in the sand.

Go back to misting or a larger water dish at shed times. The added humidity at the time won't be an issue.