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**sclark** · 08-08-2003, 06:37 PM

Re

ooh man

Hi Chambers,

First snakes don't need a rough surface to shed.. They shed by constricting and flexing their body. Most folks in here have northing more the newspaper in their cages.. Bad shedding can be caused from many things.. Low humidity is the general cause, but if your sure your reading the humidity part correctly and sure that you boa is not dehydrated, then I would bring her into a vet and have her skin checked over correctly to insure ther is no underlying problems.. Another cause could be bad nutrition.. If the boa was care for bad in the past, it may just need extra time to get back to 100%..

Good luck
Steve

**Damian** · 08-08-2003, 06:41 PM

Re

ooh man

Lack of a rough surface could and may very well be the problem if your humidity levels are correct. In fact my ball python, up until recently, was having some problems shedding. I have been using paper towels in her cage and decided to put some cypress mulch in her hide everytime she sheds. The last 3 sheds have been perfect and I believe that the mulch has provided the humidity and the rough surface to aid in shedding. You may wanna try this in your cage or you could just put a rock or some other object in the cage to help the snake out.

**Chambers san** · 08-08-2003, 06:53 PM

Re

ooh man

I have a digital min/max thermometer with a rel. humidity sensor, and im sure Ive maintained 70-80% durring this recent cycle and 60% normally. I feed her two Rodent Pro medium rats a week. I dont think she is dehydrated but to be certain, what are some of the more common symptoms of snake dehydration?

**sclark** · 08-08-2003, 07:08 PM

Re

ooh man

Hey Chambers,

Dehydration can be seen is how dull or hard the skin feels, how much snap the skin has to ti, Dents or creases in the eyes, cakey looking urates, inside of the mouth looking whitish almost pasty. Those are a few things to look at..

Steve

**WeLsH** · 08-08-2003, 08:34 PM

Re

ooh man

I agree with Stevo, snakes dont need a ruff surafce to aid in shedding. I keep my Boa on newspaper with two hides, and she never even used the hides when she is shedding.

**BMoore** · 08-08-2003, 09:35 PM

Re

ooh man

Ouch Sandpaper? You know what works really good...... that indoor outdoor carpet for substrate. My girl's will usually move around in circle's in one spot and it comes right off. Just a suggestion though. ;D

**Beth**

**tatdaddy** · 08-08-2003, 09:45 PM

Re

ooh man

As far as needing omething rough in the cage to aid in shedding. You don't need anything. Like Sclark said snake's shed by constricting there body.
I use news paper and I don't have any hide's in the cage. I was able to watch my male shed from start to finish. The shed was on pieace.
Now you said that you were feeding you rsnake 2 med rats a week. How old is your snake and how big?
It sounds like you might be feeding to much. If this is the case you could hurt your snake in the long run. It sounds like everything is in order for a good shed but your arn't getting a good shed. You might want to take your snake tothe vet and have it checked out. Good luck

TAT 8)

**Chambers san** · 08-09-2003, 04:01 PM

Re

ooh man

ok,
The sand paper is very very fine and there is no possible way it could harm the snake, but it judging by the progress she has made since I put it in there, it doesnt seem to do the trick. The snake is 4 years old, and 4.5' long, and is very shy (thats the reason why the sand paper is in the hide). I understand how snakes shed, but considering the trouble she typically has, Im willing to incorporate some new methods in order to help the snake out. And im certain the snake isn't dehydrated. She started yesterday, and has made ZERO progress. This is odd, the snake is in surperb health. I wanna try the trick were you place the snake in a wet pillow case overnight, that seems pretty effective from what Ive heard of it. I dont wanna try it until I hear the OK from some of you guys.

Thank you very very much for the replies. Ill keep ya posted

**sclark** · 08-09-2003, 04:20 PM

Re

ooh man

Hey Chambers,

I understand you can get frustrated with a snake that woun't shed well.. Just wanted to point out that something like sandpaper, even a very fine grit could cause other problems, from just irritating the belly or the face to causing mouth and eye problems...

If you want two possible suggestions that will give a clean shed. Go to the pet shop and get reptile vita stray made by Four Paws.. use that 3 times a week on your snake. Just do not get it in the eyes and pits. See how that works.. Sould change things around, and the spray is only like 5 bucks.. If things still don't work, get Shed Ease or Shed Aid from the pet shop and follow the directions..

Hope that helps..
Steve

**Chambers san** · 08-09-2003, 04:23 PM

Re

ooh man

ooooh, yeah maybe sand paper aint the greatest. What about the moist cloth sack trick?

**sclark** · 08-09-2003, 04:34 PM

Re

ooh man

Hey Chambers,

The moist cloth in a bag will work if there is some shed that is still on the boa. Just leave the boa in the cooler part of the cage sealed in a cloth bag over night.. Just make sure you allow the boa to dry down for a couple of days following the bag trick. Last thing you want it belly rot..

Steve

**Chambers san** · 08-09-2003, 04:38 PM

Re

ooh man

right, thanks again.

**sclark** · 08-10-2003, 02:27 PM

Re

ooh man

Keep us updated how things work out..

Good luck

Steve

**___LEE___** · 08-10-2003, 03:29 PM

Re

ooh man

[move]AHHHHHHHHHH SANDPAPER[/move]
YEA I WOULD GET THAT OUT.

LEE

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