Shedding information

[nikkik85]

Okay, so I bought a Kenyan Sand boa off a guy and he only had two heating pads on the bottom of a 20 gallon tank with carefresh in as substrate and a water bowl. Thats all. Khan (my new snake) is two years old and he had a piece of dry skin on his tail left from his last shed so I made sure to put some mooisture on it and it came off.

I wanted to change to nice desert sand and I did, he loved it. So he ate about a week after I got him but Im thinking I handled him too early and he regurgitated it. (about a month ago now)

About weekand half ago he got dull and I knew he was shedding... So I left him alone but he started to shed very bad, pieces everywhere. Also, I noticed as if he had been scratched with sand in the wound. It was only small but I was worried. I started taking him out and putting him in a bucket with a damp towel which helped SO MUCH and also bought a nice piece of wood for him to rub on. He shed the rest in small pieces and had some left around his mouth and eyes. I kept him going to the damp towel and it all came off except a little piece over his eye. You can still see where he had the sore on his like it damaged his skin but doesnt look like a wound or anything. almost like a scar.

I decided that sand was not the best option for my khan so I bought some substrate which is like wood bark chips or something and a heat lamp. I put one side with the wood and like a quarter of his tank with the sand. I have the heat lamp on the side with the bark and Ive been spraying it. Humidity is about 20% usually and temp is between 70 and 75 F. The side with the sand I have his water bowl.

3 days ago I took him out and noticed he is dull again... He is shedding again?!?!?! :eek:Twice in a week???? Help! Could this be due to his environment change? Pour guy hasnt eaten in almost 2 months because he threw it up... I try about twice a week to see if he will eat but if he keeps shedding he wont eat? Any comments? I want him to be happy and healthy. I will buy anything to make his environment the best for him.

[DeesBalls]

Not too sure why he would be shedding again, bit when I had my ksb, I put a lil tupperwear thing in The cage as an humidity hide, my girl loved it! And she always had perfect sheds as to why she's shedding again I am not sure, but some one will help Ya!

[DeesBalls]

Also lamps dry out The enclosure So having The humidity hide will help keep a safe place to help shed.

[nikkik85]

Yeah I am going to setup a humid hide too. I researched so much because I want to help him have an easier time shedding.

[stephanbakir]

Maby he just hit puberty and your in for a growth spurt.

On a serious note, are you sure hes going blue?

[nikkik85]

Maby he just hit puberty and your in for a growth spurt.

On a serious note, are you sure hes going blue?

I was thinking that same thing about just growing.

Blue, as in dull?? Yeah Im pretty sure, why?:confused:

[stephanbakir]

Going blue refers to the reptile getting ready to shed.
Are you sure hes going into shed?
Could it be that he didn't completely shed the first time and your seeing the rest come off now?

[TeaNinja]

their eyes cloud over and turn blue when they start to shed, and their skin gets dull. when they are actually going to shed in a day or two their eyes will clear back up first.

[nikkik85]

He went dull, it came off in alot of pieces and was so vibrant. He is definitely blue!


their eyes cloud over and turn blue when they start to shed, and their skin gets dull. when they are actually going to shed in a day or two their eyes will clear back up first.

He shed almost backwards. it came off his mid section, then his tail and his face was last. lasted about a5 days to a week

[TeaNinja]

healthy snakes with enough humidity in their viv SHOULD shed in ONE complete piece. hopefully with time you can get his sheds well again.

[NennaMeerkat]

You said he had a cut...I know snakes shed more frequently when they have wounds that are healing. They don't really "scab" like we and other animals do. So to heal up the wound they have to shed...if that makes sense.

Another question: How do you setup a humid hide?

[nikkik85]

You said he had a cut...I know snakes shed more frequently when they have wounds that are healing. They don't really "scab" like we and other animals do. So to heal up the wound they have to shed...if that makes sense.

Another question: How do you setup a humid hide?

Yes that makes sense. What doesnt make sense is how he would get a wound. His tank only had water dish and sand at the time.

I've read you can use a tupperware or anytype of a container and put damp papertowel in there. I want to read more before doing so though.

[NennaMeerkat]

That is a good question on how he got it. Perhaps what you house him in has an irregularity to it on the bottom/side? Perhaps something in the sand itself? I know your snake is going through a lot but you should do a good inspection of everything in his home and look for anything sharp enough to hurt him.

[nikkik85]

That is a good question on how he got it. Perhaps what you house him in has an irregularity to it on the bottom/side? Perhaps something in the sand itself? I know your snake is going through a lot but you should do a good inspection of everything in his home and look for anything sharp enough to hurt him.

Since then I emptied it out, cleaned it throughly and put sand and the chips in there... Im stumped, unless it was there when I got him and didnt notice. Poor little guy :(

[NennaMeerkat]

You know it could be possible that he did have it when you got him and you didn't notice until the sand. I would just keep an eye on things and continue to allow him a place to bury himself. He will be happier all the way around with that.

Keep me updated on your research for a humid hide.

[stephanbakir]

Some snakes will never have "perfect" sheds, some scars tend to break the shed an the rear half of the snake comes out in pieces

[nikkik85]

You know it could be possible that he did have it when you got him and you didn't notice until the sand. I would just keep an eye on things and continue to allow him a place to bury himself. He will be happier all the way around with that.

Keep me updated on your research for a humid hide.

found this great information about it
How to Make a Humidity Hide Box (http://exoticpets.about.com/od/reptilesandamphibians/qt/humidityhide.htm)

[NennaMeerkat]

Thanks muchly! I am getting a leopard gecko this weekend and I wanted to make sure and have the information ahead of time :)

[stephanbakir]

Could we get a picture of the wound, and the terrarium?

[Lankyrob]

I notice you said you are trying to feed twice a week, this can be stressful for the snake, try at most once a week and let the poor thing chill out for a bit, just changing water and spot cleaning. He may shed more often whilst repairing the wound he has and he may well not eat until he is 100% "well" again. Have as little interaction as possible with him until he has eaten at least two or three times and things should be fine.

[sickvenom]

i wouldn't use bark. i would go back to sand or you could even try shredded aspen. bark could retain too much humidity and cause health issues.

[nikkik85]

The wound is no longer there... and its not actual "bark", Its called jungle earth. The humidity doesnt go above 30, and is usually low. I actually find it dries out very quick.

Right now he does have the blue tint to his eyes.

I havent tried to feed him twice this week... I will keep in mind how stressfull this can be. I never thought about it that way. I was just thinking about how good it would feel for him to eat.

[NennaMeerkat]

Yeah try feeding him once a week outside his home in a dark container with a secure lid. Wait an hour and check again. If he doesn't eat just put him back in his tank and leave him alone. Do this until he does eat again. Be sure to wait until he is completely done shedding though.

[nikkik85]

Here are some photos of Khans new humid hide and the way I have it set up. You can see how dull he is. Last night he wouldnt go near the humid hide but is in there now. Hope this helps him.


http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/225141_10150581144160147_683060146_18460386_401483 2_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/227263_10150581144245147_683060146_18460387_821346 2_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/230105_10150581144350147_683060146_18460390_545083 9_n.jpg

[nikkik85]

You can see his blue eyes here. Definitely in shed!

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228424_10150581241105147_683060146_18462092_177855 2_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/223570_10150581241465147_683060146_18462098_564740 7_n.jpg

[Shmoges]

How big is that tank? if thats a 10 thats a big kenyan possibly a female not male. I will put my kenyans in a moist hide for a few hours once they shed and seem to have had a bad shed.

[nikkik85]

No its a 20. He is about 2 feet long...

[sickvenom]

what a sausage!

[nikkik85]

what a sausage!

Hahahahaha especially for a guy who hasnt eaten in Over a Monty

[drewkore]

At 2 feet I would say that is almost definitely a female!
Drew

[nikkik85]

Thanks Drew. Hmmmmm was just googling it! He is she most likely!!!!! :)

[CanadianEryx]

Hi Nikki! It sounds as if you've been given a lot of good advice. My ksb shed about four times in a row because of being clawed by a cat and she didn't eat for six weeks around the same time so just be patient. As for the humid hide, you don't need to leave it in your enclosure all the time--just when your little one is shedding. These are desert reptiles and love a dry home. When she is done shedding take the hide out until the next time! Good luck, and let us know how things go! (BTW, feed her only once per week--she doesn't need it more often)

[nikkik85]

I have been given alot of good advise. Hence, why I love you all :)


Khan officially started to shed. No signs of shedding from his head half way down.. his stomach has detached and he is using the wood to help him get it off.. Poor babe, wish he would just be able to shed one piece. <3