Buzz
Throughout their lives, snakes regularly shed their skin in order to grow. This shedding process typically occurs every one to two weeks. While it is a completely natural process, certain steps should be taken to ensure your snake is well cared for during this time. Provide an ideal environment by adding water and increasing humidity in the enclosure. Place a water dish and some rough materials in the enclosure to help the snake shed properly. If any complications arise, such as incomplete shedding, it is important to consult a veterinarian for assistance.
Steps
Create a Supportive Environment for Shedding Snakes
Recognize the Signs of an Impending Shed It is important to prepare in advance for your snake’s shedding process. To do this, observe the snake and look for signs that it is about to shed. The appearance of these signs indicates it is time for you to begin preparations.
- Pay attention to the snake’s eyes. The eyes will become cloudy and take on a bluish tint shortly before shedding.
- Also, check the snake’s current skin. As the snake prepares to shed, its skin will appear paler and duller.
Prepare a Humid Shed Box for Shedding Snakes require high humidity levels to shed successfully. To provide this, you can set up a humid box to increase the moisture in their environment. Use a box, such as a shoebox, then punch ventilation holes and add damp paper towels inside the box to create the ideal shedding conditions.
Spray Warm Water into the Snake’s Enclosure You can also use a spray bottle to mist some warm water inside the enclosure to boost the humidity. Alternatively, you can lightly spray the snake itself just before it begins shedding, if possible.
Monitor Humidity Levels in the Enclosure Keep track of the humidity inside the snake’s enclosure. You can use a hygrometer, which can be purchased at pet stores or electronics shops. During the shedding process, the humidity should be maintained between 50% and 70%. If the humidity falls below this range, there are several ways to raise it:
- Place a large water dish inside the enclosure.
- Cover part of the enclosure lid. If the lid is glass, you can cover half to help maintain moisture levels.
- Spread orchid bark substrate at the bottom of the enclosure. Orchid bark retains moisture better than most other substrates.
Assist the Snake During the Shedding Process
Place a Warm Water Dish Inside the Snake’s Enclosure As the snake starts to shed, you’ll notice patches of skin peeling off. During this process, add a warm water dish to the enclosure. The snake can soak in the water to help the skin come off more easily.
- Ensure the dish is large enough for the snake to fully fit inside it.
- Fill the dish with just enough water so the snake can wet its entire body, but not so much that the snake is submerged when it enters the dish.
Add Rough Materials to the Snake’s Enclosure Snakes can rub their skin off by crawling on rough materials. Materials such as branches and rocks can be very helpful during the shedding process. You can also use bark, pine cones, and other easily found rough materials.
- If the snake rubs its nose against objects in the enclosure, it is likely trying to shed its skin. When you observe this behavior, quickly add more rough materials to the enclosure to assist the snake.
Place the Snake Between Several Layers of Damp Paper Towels If the snake is struggling with shedding, you can offer assistance. Moisten several layers of paper towels and place the snake in between. Allow the snake to slither and twist through the layers. The moisture and friction will make shedding easier for the snake.
Clean the Enclosure After Shedding Once the snake has shed its skin, the shed skin will likely be scattered throughout the enclosure. The skin may form small piles or dry out into tubes. Your task is to clean it up.
- Snakes often defecate after shedding, so be sure to wear gloves when cleaning the enclosure, as you may also need to clean up their waste.
Provide Plenty of Water for the Snake After shedding, snakes require a significant amount of water. Be sure to check the snake’s water dish and replenish it regularly. You will need to provide more water for the snake for several days after it has shed.
Managing Complications
Visit a Veterinarian if the Snake’s Shed is Incomplete Despite your best efforts, the snake may still fail to shed its entire skin. If the snake doesn't complete the shedding process within one to two weeks, take it to a veterinarian. The vet will help remove the remaining shed skin and check the snake’s health. Issues during shedding are often caused by low humidity, but a medical check-up can help rule out other potential health problems.
- Never attempt to peel off the remaining shed skin yourself, especially around the eyes and mouth area.
Create a Stress-Free Environment for the Snake Stress can also contribute to incomplete shedding. If the snake is struggling to shed properly, consider reducing stress in its environment. Provide a high-quality habitat and limit physical contact.
- Maintain comfortable humidity levels and ensure the snake has plenty of hiding spots in the enclosure. Snakes are solitary creatures and prefer their own space. Add some boxes or enclosed areas to the enclosure to give it private spaces.
- Avoid handling the snake too often. Frequent touching may cause the snake to view you as a threat. Limit handling to no more than 30 minutes at a time, and no more than a few times per week.
Take the Snake for Regular Veterinary Check-ups Regular veterinary visits can help ensure that future shedding processes go smoothly. In rare cases, difficulties during shedding may be linked to underlying health problems. By scheduling regular check-ups, the veterinarian can diagnose any issues early and intervene before shedding problems arise.
Warnings
- Avoid disturbing the snake during shedding – handling and interference can increase stress and disrupt the shedding process. The snake may also become more aggressive during this time.
- The snake will appear weak during shedding – it may not eat, change its color and appearance, and hide more than usual. However, there’s no need to panic and rush to the vet. Shedding is a natural and necessary process that allows the snake to grow.
