Snakes shed their skin regularly throughout their lives to keep growing. Moulting usually lasts about one to two weeks. Although this process is actually natural, there are several steps you should take to treat a molting snake. Make sure you provide a friendly environment for the snake by adding a steady supply of water and humidity to its cage. Provide a basin of water and an object with a rough surface to help her shed her skin. If you notice any problems such as incomplete shedding of the skin, contact your veterinarian.
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Part 1 of 3: Providing an Appropriate Environment
Step 1. Learn the signs of a snake shedding its skin
You need to prepare for this molting process before it even begins. To do this, you must observe it and pay attention to the signs that the snake is about to shed its skin. When you start to notice the symptoms, start getting ready.
- Watch the snake's eyes. Snake eyes that will change skin look dull and bluish white.
- You should also pay attention to the current color of the snake's skin. Snake skin will look dull right before molting.
Step 2. Make a damp changing box
Snakes need a moist place to molt properly. One way to increase humidity in a snake's cage environment is to provide a molting box. Take a box, such as a shoebox, and make sure the box is well ventilated by punching holes in it. Place a damp tissue in the box where the snake sheds its skin.
Step 3. Spray the cage with lukewarm water
You can also try spraying the cage a little to increase the humidity. Take a spray bottle and fill it with lukewarm water. You can also lightly spray the snake with water just before molting if the snake allows it.
Step 4. Adjust the humidity of the cage
Observe the humidity of the snake cage. You can buy the kit at a pet store or supermarket. A device like this can measure the humidity in a snake's cage. During the molting process, snakes need a cage with 50 to 70% humidity. If the humidity level of the cage is below this limit, there are steps you can take to increase it.
- Place a large container of water into the cage.
- Close the top of the cage. If your snake's cage has a lid, cover the top half of the cage to increase humidity.
- Try using an orchid bark substrate to cover the bottom of the cage. This material tends to hold moisture better than other products.
Part 2 of 3: Aids in the Skin Removing Process
Step 1. Put a basin of warm water in the snake's cage
As the snake begins to shed its skin, you will notice that the skin flakes start to come off. During this time, place a basin of warm water in the cage so the snake can soak in the water to help the skin come off more easily.
- Choose a basin large enough to accommodate the entire body of the snake.
- Add enough water to cover the entire body of the snake. However, don't add too much water until the snake sinks into the basin.
Step 2. Put a rough surface object into the cage
Snakes can rub the skin off by crawling on rough surfaces. Objects such as tree branches and stones can be very useful for a molting snake. You can also use pieces of bark, pine cones, and any other rough surface you find outdoors.
If the snake rubs its nose against an object in the cage, it means the snake is trying to shed its skin during the molting process. If you find a snake doing this, it is very important to immediately place any rough surfaced object in the snake's cage
Step 3. Place the snake between several layers of tissue paper
If your snake seems to be having trouble shedding its own skin, you may need to help. Prepare several layers of moistened tissue paper. Then, remove the skin that has begun to peel off and place the snake between the tissue paper. Let the snake slither and wriggle between the paper towels. The combination of moisture and friction should help the snake shed its skin.
Step 4. Clean the cage after molting
Once the snake has finished molting, you may find skin residue all over the cage. The detached skin may look like small, crumpled lumps. Can also be in the form of tubular pieces and dry in all parts of the cage. Remove any remaining skin from the cage after the snake has finished molting.
Snakes often defecate after the molting process. Use gloves when cleaning the cage as you may have to clean the snake droppings as well
Step 5. Provide additional water supply
Snakes often drink a lot of water after molting. Pay attention to the snake's water container. Make sure you refill it frequently after the snake has molted. It's not uncommon for you to have to refill the water container more often than usual in the few days after the snake's molt.
Part 3 of 3: Troubleshooting
Step 1. Visit the vet if there is an incomplete molt
No matter how hard you try, your snake may not finish shedding its skin. If your snake doesn't finish molting in one to two weeks, see your vet. A veterinarian can help remove any remaining skin and examine your snake. Usually, this problem in the skin turnover process is caused by a lack of moisture. However, you may want further tests to determine if there are other health problems that are causing this to happen.
Never try to exfoliate the skin on your own, especially the skin around the snake's eyes and mouth
Step 2. Provide a stress-free environment
Stress can be one of the causes of incomplete skin turnover. If your snake isn't molting properly, try addressing the problem that's causing stress to the snake. Make sure the snake has a quality environment and limit the frequency of handling the snake.
- Keep humidity at a comfortable level. You should also make sure the snake has plenty of hiding places in its cage. Snakes are solitary pets and want lots of alone time. Put a box or hiding place in the snake's cage so it can be alone.
- Don't touch the snake too often. Snakes may not like being held and if handled too often, they may perceive you as a predator. Don't hold the snake for more than 30 minutes, and only do this a few times a week.
Step 3. Be sure to get your snake checked by the vet regularly
Regular visits to the vet can help the snake shed its skin easily later. Although rare, problems in the process of changing the skin can also be caused by health problems. If you take your snake to the vet on a regular basis, your vet can diagnose and treat these health problems before they cause problems with molting.
Warning
- Leave the snake alone during the molting process. Holding and bothering him will only stress him out more and cause the skin to come off bit by bit instead of all at once. In addition, snakes can also become more aggressive when molting.
- If the snake looks sick, doesn't want to eat, changes color and appearance, is also hiding longer than usual but there's no reason to take it to the vet, it means that the molting process is still normal and must happen for the snake to grow.
