Poor shedding

[Joffnan]

I have a male Royal python. Hatched August last year. I've been keeping his viv humidity elevated and still he's struggled. I'm hoping I've got the eye caps off. They look pretty clear. Gave him a bath and assisted the removal of skin. Any suggestions. I've read about Sphagnum moss being kept in the hide. Is this as a permanent solution or just during shed? Any info anyone can offer will be greatly appreciated. I've also read that maintaining too high a humidity can lead to RI. Thanks

[Aaron_S]

What level is the humidity?

If the enclosure is wet it does not mean it also is humid.

[Hurrok]

What is your Ball housed in? A tank or tub?

[Lankyrob]

I use sphagnum mosd hises for all my snakes and they all use them even when alternatives are present. If the shed isnt coming off in one piece then something is wrong with the husbandry.

What are your temps and humidity readings?

[Joffnan]

I think Sphagnum moss may be the way forward. The spraying has been raising the humidity to around 70-80 but it's rapidly falling each time. I'll get some moss this weekend and pop that in and see how we get on. I did buy some but seem to have mislaid it. :-S Thanks for the input guys.

[Hurrok]

Is your ball in a tub or tank? If it is in a tank humidity can be a problem if you have a screen or mesh lid. An easy fix is either tinfoil or a towel to keep the humidity in there.

[Joffnan]

Is your ball in a tub or tank? If it is in a tank humidity can be a problem if you have a screen or mesh lid. An easy fix is either tinfoil or a towel to keep the humidity in there.

Sorry Hurrok. He's in a viv. Wood with a glass front. There is a vent the full length at the back. Maybe I'll restrict this a little too.

[Aaron_S]

Sure, ignore the other relevant questions.

[Joffnan]

Sure, ignore the other relevant questions.

Hi Aaron. Apologies. Still figuring this out. The humidity as I stated is up and down. Been trying to maintain it around 60% but spraying is very ineffective as I've found. I think I'm going to try the moss route and see how that goes.

[Lankyrob]

Sorry Hurrok. He's in a viv. Wood with a glass front. There is a vent the full length at the back. Maybe I'll restrict this a little too.

Airflow is the biggest enemy to humidity, i have similar vivs to yours with only two 2" diameter vents in them and humidity holds for a good three or four days between spraying

[Hurrok]

Sorry Hurrok. He's in a viv. Wood with a glass front. There is a vent the full length at the back. Maybe I'll restrict this a little too.

Okay that is probably the issue then especially if it is near the top. I'm not sure what you could do to help....

All I have to offer as a fix is just to do a daily spray :p

[bcr229]

What are you using for substrate? When we switched from aspen to cypress mulch it was much easier to keep humidity levels up.

[Joffnan]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I am indeed using Aspen so maybe I'll look at an alternative. I purchased some sphagnum moss today so giving that a go, but thinking I may need to cut the air flow at the top a little. :-) Thanks again all.