Bad Shed - What am I doing wrong?

FinishingFlight · 08-17-16, 12:09 PM

So about two weeks ago Jakku shed but it was not a good one. It came off in several small pieces and retained some throughout his body. So I want to double check my husbandry and ask. I also wondered since this was his first shed with me that it could have been a problem before I got him or if its all on me.

So I have him in a temporary (quarantine) enclosure that is the size of a 20 gallon but shorter (I think it is a 15?). It is a mesh top but I currently have a plastic lid on top to add humidity and it covers 80% of the top where I have a lamp for ambient temperature on the side of his water to add a bit. I spray the bedding down 3-4 times a week. In the morning I do notice some moisture on the top of the plastic lid. I have a humidity gage shipping to me now.

His warm side is set at 88* with an UTH and a thermostat, while the cool side is around 72-76* He has two hides, one on the cool one on the warm, he has a large enough bowl for soaking (I have never seen him in it)

When he was going into shed I misted his cage twice a day until he shed.

When he didn't remove it all himself I soaked him in a luke warm bath for about 45 minutes and used a wash cloth to remove the stuck shed. So he had all of it removed.

I have another 6 weeks before the 3 month quarantine is over. I have a bigger enclosure that I have fitted with a more solid top, but the only place it fits is with my other snakes so he will have to wait. Should I add a hide and add a moss on the UTH to make a humid hide? Or any other suggestions?

He is eating great and is not loosing any weight.

**Aaron_S** · 08-17-16, 01:40 PM

It isn't quite humid enough in there. You can build the moist hide if you like.

I just pour a water dishes amount of water into the enclosure when the snake is going into shed then re-fill the dish. Works like a charm.

SWDK · 08-17-16, 04:03 PM

Humid hides work wonders. I actually keep them in all my snakes enclosures 24/7 so they can use them at will when they need more humidity. I know all my snakes use the humid hides at some point because I find they like to poop there as well. I also mist my enclosures liberally when the snakes are in shed to help ensure a good shed. As long as the humidity is good there shouldn't be any issues with shedding.

**Tsubaki** · 08-18-16, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

It isn't quite humid enough in there. You can build the moist hide if you like.

I just pour a water dishes amount of water into the enclosure when the snake is going into shed then re-fill the dish. Works like a charm.

This is what I always do, and overflow the water dish when filling it. Works wonders!