I know this site is for hognose snakes and the snake being used is a Royal Python but the method will be the same.
I have had and probably always will have problems with one of my Royal Pythons and shedding. i have tried all the norms of damp hides, bathing and misting none of them work with this girl so 9 times out of 10 i end up using this method AFTER she has tried to shed her self.
Firstly purchase some 'shed ease' from good reptile stores or off the internet. FIG.1
Then make up a bath (try to simulate a warm end of the viv temp. i.e 27-31c) for your snake as directed on the bottle mine says 10ml of 'shed ease' to every 16oz of water. (this will depend on the brand you get) FIG.2 Soak your snake in the bath for the directed amount of time. ('shed ease' is 20minutes)
Once soaked start rolling back the loose skin. be sure to be gently and work from head to tail. I find it easier to start with a cotton bud once started i use my hands and try to let the snake go through your hands as if it were trying to shed naturally. FIG.3
FIG.4
Around this point you may need to re-soak your snake for 1-5 minutes FIG.5
You can see how the shed is rolling up as if the snake was shedding naturally. FIG.6
When you get towards the tail be sure to take care around the cloaca as there is a scale under it. (Well at least there is on a Royal Python) FIG.7
Make sure you have got all the shed off. Check the eyes and tail properly. FIG.8
Hopefully by this time you have a nice smooth freshly shed shinny snake. FIG.9
appoligies for some of the pictures quallity i was trying to do it quickly as not to stress my poor girl out to much.
If you have any further questions please ask away.
That's really useful - thanks for posting it. My two snakes haven't had any problems with shedding yet but it's good to know that there is a product available if I need it in the future. Your royal looks pretty tolerant! Do you know whereabouts on the Internet I might be able to get some of this stuff? I see you got yours from Fordham Garden Centre but I can't say I've seen it in any of the reptile places near me.
1.0.0. Western hognose (Baldrick) 0.1.0. Amel bloodred corn snake (Cornflake) R.I.P. Bob (Western hognose)
The use of 'Shed Ease'
Posted - 07/01/2011 : 16:00:27
but I can't say I've seen it in any of the reptile places near me.