How to Check Pet Snake Eye Cap Sheds

All snakes shed their skin periodically as they grow. Because snakes don't have eyelids, they also shed the clear skin over their eyes, called eye caps. On occasion, the eye caps on some snakes, especially those held in captivity may not come off with the rest of the shed. You need to check your snake for retained eye caps and remove them if they are present.

Things You'll Need

  • Shallow container of water in which the snake can fit
  • Clean dry cloth or a warm moist cotton ball
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check your snake's shed after he is finished shedding. Let your snake have his privacy during shedding, and don't bother him. When he is done, pick up the shed and see if there are holes where the eyes were, or if any eye cap is present on the shed. If there is no eye cap on the shed, then they are probably still on the snake.

    • 2

      Look at your snake's eyes. They may appear to be cloudy or have a silver or blue tint to them. Common symptoms of retained eye caps include poor eating, increased hostility, fright and decreased movement. The reason for this is your snake can't see as well as usual.

    • 3

      Verify the humidity in your snake's tank. Sometimes an insufficient humidity level can cause the snake's eye caps to stick to her eyes.

    • 4

      Soak your snake in warm water for 10 to 20 minutes three times during the day in a separate container. The water must be shallow enough so that your snake won't drown. If your snake happens to defecate in the water during the soak - remove it, rinse it off, rinse out the container and replace the water.

    • 5

      Try to remove the eye caps after the third soak. Gently rub a clean, soft and dry rag or a warm wet cotton ball over the snake's eye caps. They should come off easily, but if they don't, don't force them. Repeat the soaking the following day and try to get the caps off again.

    • 6

      Take the snake to a veterinarian who has experience with snakes if you can't get the eye caps off yourself. The veterinarian will be able to either relax the snake or put him under anesthesia while he removes the eye caps.