Bad Shed

[MichaelJaynes]

For the first time ever one of my maccies didnt shed completly there is still some of the old skin left.
i was just wondering what i should do to get rid of the old skin???
and does this sort of thing happend often???
any information would be help ful.

Regards
MICK

[Samma3l]

Ive heard increasing the humidity helps

[Barney]

Also warm soapy baths

Then put in a pillow case
which then come off in the case

[Nome]

Yeah, can happen often if humidity is too low, or if the snake doesn't have something to rub itself against to get the skin off, or some are just lazy and don't try too hard.

You can put it in a warm wet pillowcase for a while to loosen the skin then get a warm washer and rub the skin gently off, or put it in a tub of warm water. I found the latter the best when my scrubby used to have problems. I'd put a rock in there with him, and he'd swim around and rub on it and the remainder of the skin came off no worries.

[herptrader]

It is not uncommon.

To get the old skin off you may want to put him/her in a bath of tepid water for an hour or so and it will probbly rub off easily. I usually use a plastic tub (one with a lid) and try and match the temperature of the water to the snake.

It is better to act on this problem sooner rather than later.

If some damage has been done you may find that the snake sheds again in a few weeks time and the damage should then be gone. One of my olives has just shed for the third time in 6 weeks and all sign of the stuck incomplete shed is now gone.

[herptrader]

Originally Posted by Nome

You can put it in a warm wet pillowcase for a while to loosen the skin then get a warm washer and rub the skin gently off [...]

You want to be a tad careful with the wet pillow case approach as it tends to make it air tight and suffocations are not un head of.

[Greebo]

I give all my snakes a good misting just before they are about to shed. I can't remember the last time I have had an incomplete shed since I have started doing this.

[swampie]

I do the same as greebo does.When you see your snake is coming into a shed get a spray bottle with some water in it and give your snake a spray,make sure the nozzle on spray bottle is set to create a fine mist, repeat the process a couple of days latter and your snake wont have anymore shedding problems.