Animal Lovers Web Forum

So we have had Jean-Luc (Ball python) for a few months now and he's shed twice? I think.  (My geckos have shed too and I have a hard time keeping up with who shed last.)   We have quickly noticed he has started having issues when he sheds.  Most of what is on his head won't come off.  From the previous owner we've been told he does this when he's dehydrated.  We have bathed him a few times to try and help but I feel like we can't do it enough and he does like to help himself.  So we turned to his tank.  He didn't have a moisture box when he took over ownership of him but I knew we would end up wanting to get him one eventually and it seems it's much needed.

I thought up an odd solution today and I wanted some input from some snake owners to see if anyone has thought to do this and if they thought it was a good idea.  My idea is to get a tote large enough to put his water bowl in and some moss (outside the bowl) to create a moist box that essentially moistens itself.  With a lid over the bowl the evaporating water would get caught on the lid and just drip back down.  There would be enough room for him to curl up in the bowl or out in the moss. It would also help keep his tank from getting flooded when he lies in the bowl.

What do you think?

My geckos already have moist boxes but I was thinking of doing this to their tanks as well.  Although they have 2 water sources so one is essentially just for them to lay in.

Ball pythons seem to need a lot of help shedding. 




This is a picture of one of my "snake" boxes. I have different sizes and you will notice that the lid locks. I drilled air holes all around the top.  I use them for feeding when I need to separate snakes that share a terrarium.

I use them for egg laying. The one in the picture is being used for egg laying. I give the snake damp moss and a small water dish and then I leave her in peace to lay her eggs. I check on the females, but I try to keep them quiet.

I use the snake boxes for shedding. When the snake is pre-shed I put them in the box and pour some water in and leave the snake for an hour or even over night if the snake really needs it. If it is over night then I would give the snake a water dish.
If the snake has already shed and it didn't come off perfectly, I give the snake a good soak. I think of it as a spa treatment and the snakes do enjoy it.  After the snake has soaked for awhile a damp towel or even damp paper towel can be used to remove the shed skin.

Here I am helping Jake Krinkle snake shed his skin.


Corn snakes shed better than ball pythons.

Snake boxes are good to put the snake in while you clean the terrarium. They are good for transporting your snake safely.
It is good to have a snake box near your tank. In an emergency you can easily grab the snake and box it and if you have to pass it to someone else you know it is secure.  The snake will feel safe and calm in a box it is familiar with.

They sell the boxes at Walmart. They come in different sizes. Choose one that allows the snake room to curl up, but not too big. It is just temporary housing.  Think of a snake box as a "dog crate" for a snake.

A water dish in the terrarium big enough to soak in is good, but some snakes just won't soak.
A moist chamber in the terrarium is something I don't use. The snake that won't soak in the water dish probably won't use the moist chamber. You would have to be constantly cleaning it because for sure your snake will poop in it. They will poop in the water dish and of course they will poop in the snake box. The snake box is the easiest one to wash out.


You don't want shed skin to be retained too long.  Ball pythons don't seem to have nice clean sheds like corn snakes. I always seem to have a snake of two in a snake box soaking when I am home.  Get the ones with the locking lids. They are more secure. Have fun drilling holes.

I actually already have a box like that I use for crickets cause I have to let them feed before feeding them to my geckos. He loves to soak but he hasn't been much recently. Might just be cause of environment change but I'll get him another box. We can use for sheds. I might try the other idea for my geckos. Cause they love their moist box it just dries out fast.

Snake boxes are a good idea. They give you a good place to hydrate your snake, but they are good for so much more.  I mostly feed in boxes because I can keep an eye on them while they eat. There in no bedding to accidently ingest. Picky eaters are less distracted.

Barrie says hi by the way. He has had his bath and has fallen asleep in my arms.   Check out the thread about Barrie and see what he is. Yes he is staying permanently. I really love the guy.

Snake boxes are a safety  thing. If I had to evacuate my animals they would be secure and I  could write my info and the snakes info on the outside.

So, how are you liking having a snake so far. There is nothing like your first snake. You will have others, but Jean-Luc will always be the first.  My first snake was Joe No Toes, a corn snake.

Barrie is my first really big lizard.

I admit, I love my reptiles best and the guinea pigs of course, and the doves.