Corn snake shedding (i will choose best answer)?

Question

so my 3yr old corn snake that i have had for 3 weeks was starting to turn white-ish even on its eyes an i supposed it was ready to shed, but three days later, it has gone back to normal and i dont think it shed at all because i dont see any of the "sking" on the tank. But it really seemed like it was going to happen.

so, is that bad if they cant shed?

what should i do about it, humidity is 50%

is there something wrong?

Answer 1

Your snake is fine.  Calm down (but it's good to see you are observant, and note these changes).  He needs increased humidity (you can mist his enclosure with a spray bottle, or a cool steam mister daily).  Misting cools his environment if you have a screen top, so be sure to monitor the temp. in his tank as well.

It is not unusual for a snake's eyes to cloud, and clear again, before a shed.  Just mist the tank, and raise the humidity for his shed.  Also it will encourage him to soak if you move his water bowl a bit closer to his heat source/hot tank end (though he won't eat until he sheds, he will drink, so don't allow the water to get warm).

Most snakes do not like being bothered during a shed.  Some will strike and bite.  It's dependent on the individual reptile, but I often remove my pre-shed snakes (the ones which don't self-soak) to a bucket for soaking.  They seem to enjoy it, and it prevents partial sheds.  Use your best judgement - if the snake is not used to handling during a shed, or is a new snake; it's best to leave it alone, and let "nature takes its course."

Be sure the snake has a rough ceramic/wood (commercial and baked - parasite free) branch of some kind to start its shed on, and which will catch the skin, so it can wriggle out of it.  The skin is generally (optimally) shed in a single piece.

IF your snake has a partial shed (it breaks up, and pieces of dried skin remain on the snake); it would be beneficial to soak the snake at that time (monitor the animal, and do not let it drown!  It should not be floating!  Just enough water to cover it as it rests, and leave its head exposed is good), and carefully rub loose any remaining dead skin.  It should roll off the snake easily once wet.  Never tug a piece which seems 'stuck,' as you can damage/wound new skin on the snake.

Again, it depends on the snake/attitude, but I rub most of mine while in the water.

If the skin is 'stubborn' and doesn't want to roll loose, then wait a day, and soak the reptile again (tepid water, don't allow it to become cold).  If a couple days of this effort still results in 'stuck skin,' then you might want to resort to applying hand lotion (alcholo and fragrance free, such as Eucerine) to problem patches.  Be frugal - do not soak the area in lotion.  Simply apply it to your fingertips, rub them together, and apply a very thin coat to the dead skin (it should be invisble, and not pick up debris or dust/bedding, etc.).  Wait a day, and try soaking it again.

Beyond that, allow the snake to rub the offending patches off on items in its enclosure (they will feel tight, and the snake will desire to be rid of them).

For a single impartial shed; I would not worry too much.  If the snake's next shed is normal - it's all history.  If the following shed is partial again, or especially, if the same area doesn't shed; you would do well to seek advice from your vet.  Some snakes can be cronic partial shedders, and will require different care, during shedding.

I hope this has been helpful.

Answer 2

The Humidity wasn't high enough.

Answer 3

The only thing pretty much you can do is look around the whole tank for the skin sheddings and if you dont find it then you can go back to normal schedule and see if itll shed.

Do you have a heating pad or basking lamp on the cage if not thats probrably the problem. If you dont have it then go to petsmart or petco to get it. Its like 20-30 dollars at the max.

Answer 4

if it doesnt do right 1 of 2 things can happen 1 he will have something like dry shed for along time second itl come off raise humidty 2 60 to 70 when mine r sheding a steam them in the showwer they love it and it helps a lot with there shedding and when hes done set it back to as close to 60 or put a sponge or moss etc moist in his hide and he will have a humid hide and that will help wut do u have for him to shed on do u have a good stone or something?

Answer 5

this is totally normal the shedding prosses can last 7 days or more and it is perfectly normal that he return to it's normal color it means he's going to shed soon. just give him a water bowl big enough for him to soak it's all body in it and you can mist the tank twice a day with a spray bottle of water(that have never contain chemical product)and it will all be find. when he shed just be sure that he shed all in one piece.

if the is any problems with shedding you can place your corn in a humid pillow case and let him crawl in for about 20 minuts. the pieces of old skinn will all come off.( you should see that video on shedding, its very instructive:

http://www.expertvillage.com/video/6104_...

good luck!

Answer 6

Don't worry, its perfectly fine.

After they go through the 'milky' stage they return back normal, then a few days to a week after this they will shed.

Just mist the cage once per day when you notice its coming up a shed.

Hope this helps. =)

Answer 7

it could have been nothing or it might not have been humid enough, i do not have a snake but i have a scorpion and the humidity does have to be perfect for them to shed