Shedding help

kcshepard · 12-28-10, 03:41 PM

I have a small (14") ribbon snake. It's first shed in my care went perfectly fine. The second shed came of in smaller pieces and there is still a small piece over one eye that has yet to come off (about 4 days). How can I get this off without hurting the snake?

NennaMeerkat · 12-28-10, 03:44 PM

Has the snake been able to soak while it was shedding? I don't know if it helps now that it has already shed, but it might help. Usually a bad shed is because of a to dry environment...at least that is what I have been told in the past.

kcshepard · 12-28-10, 07:14 PM

In the 2-3 months that we have had the snake we have yet to see it ever soak in the water bowl. It is my understanding that they do like to soak however. I may have to force it next time. I may even see if soaking the snake now will help the piece over it's eye come off.

NennaMeerkat · 12-28-10, 07:24 PM

I know that soaking is supposed to help a lot...if nothing else you can also try misting the snake when you notice it getting ready to shed next time since the silly thing doesn't want to. Though how big is the water dish compared to the snake? Might be a size issue.

Keep us informed, I know I am interested in hearing how it goes.

Dumeril daddy · 12-28-10, 07:29 PM

what i mean by soaking is damp cloth and patt it around gently lift up loose flaps and make sure moisture get inthe underside

Dumeril daddy · 12-28-10, 07:23 PM

if wont come off gently soak in water..... or what kind of bedding do you have?

Reptile_Reptile · 12-28-10, 10:09 PM

spray the snake with some water then take a q tip thats not all lose and put vasalene on it and gently rub the snakes eyecap (thats what the piece of shed is called on the eye) works everytime for me remember that your not trying to take it off yourself just getting it moist enough that the snake can

Will0W783 · 12-31-10, 09:25 AM

Go to your local drug store and get something called "Pura Lube". Gently squirt a bit right onto the stuck eye cap and use your finger to GENTLY smooth it over the eye. Do this twice a day for a week and it should loosen the cap enough for the snake to rub it off.

presspirate · 12-31-10, 03:05 PM

Do you have a large water source for him? Ribbon snakes are fish eaters and are great swimmers. Mine I gave 10" pie plates as their swimming pools.