VIPER & VINE EXOTIC ANIMAL KEEPERS FORUM

hardwicki · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Bolton

Hi everyone

I have a royal python called Monty and he is roughly 9 months old. I heard pythons are a pain for feeding sometimes but i have never had any problems, shedding however was sometimes an incomplete shed often he left his tail tip on. I just want to know how other python owners ensure their snakeys shed properly. What i do is when hes almost complete i pop him in a sink of warm water. This seems to do the trick but my python is tame and always friendly so I wouldn't recommend it incase you stress your snake. I was just wondering and searching for other owners and their expertise.

Cheers!!

piedpythons · Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Cumbria

Hi there,

To ensure complete shedding humidity is the key element. If you royal isnt shedding whole make sure the humidity level is correct. When any of my lot are in shed, I move the water bowl slightly closer to the hot end for the last day or so. This just allows the water to evaporate faster thus increasing the humidity just slightly.

It is important to ensure you do not increase the humidity so much as to make the viv damp or wet as this can cause serious problems including upper respiratory etc.

You shouldnt have to be assisting him with shedding, although I know that the tail is one of the most common places for stuck shed, along with the eye caps.

I know you mentioned your royal is tame and so you feel you are okay to soak him but just because he doesnt bite, doesnt mean to say it is not stressing him out.

But yes, soaking does well for getting the shed off snakes.
Perhaps try soaking him overnight in shallow water (in a ventilated tub) with a heat mat at one end to keep the temperature level for him. Doing this the day before he sheds may help to soften the skin enough for the shed to come off complete when he does shed; including the tail end.

What humidity is your viv at currently?

Hope this helps!
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hardwicki · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 4 Location: Bolton

thanks for the reply the hunidity in my viv is currently 65-70%
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2 cornsnakes, a ball python and a uromastyx