Shed problem

[Catherine]

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.