How to Help Your Snake When She's Shedding

Ideally, a snake should shed its skin all in one piece, rolling it back from the head like a stocking. However, at times, the snake sheds incompletely, leaving bits of skin attached. If a snake is having problems shedding, the factors causing the condition may be environmental or physical. If your snake repeatedly has trouble shedding, take it to the veterinarian. A single problem shed can often be dealt with at home.

Things You'll Need

  • Humidity gauge
  • Mister bottle
  • Branches
  • Rocks
  • Plastic container with lid
  • Awl
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stick a humidity gauge to the side of the snake's enclosure. Humidity helps the skin moisten and become flexible enough to shed. Occasionally spritzing the inside of the enclosure with water helps keep the humidity high.

    • 2

      Leave a rough branch or rock pile in the enclosure. The snake rubs its skin on rough surfaces to start peeling it away.

    • 3

      Peel off any loose pieces that are ready to fall off. In some cases, you may be able to help the snake merely by plucking the loose skin off. If the skin is coming off only in small pieces or if it does not seem to want to come off at all, do not pull it off.

    • 4

      Choose a plastic container that is small enough that the snake needs to coil around twice to fit inside it.

    • 5

      Punch several holes in the plastic container's lid.

    • 6

      Place the snake in the container.

    • 7

      Fill the container with water until it is halfway up the snake's body. A fair portion of the snake should be able to rest out of the water. The point is to moisten the snake, not to submerge it entirely.

    • 8

      Close the container and place it in a location that is between 82 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour. The motion of the snake and the moisture help ensure a full shed.