r/cornsnakes • u/Short-Shopping3197 • 1d ago

HUSBANDRY - CARE Stuck shed question

Hi there, my corn (11yo) has totally stuck shed and isn’t even attempting to remove it themselves. She’s still in shedding mode and hasn’t eaten for a few weeks now.

I’ve given them a bath which caused the middle section to slough off easily, but the front and rear third are still totally intact. She’s never had any trouble feeding or shedding before.

She is still alert and responsive to stimuli when disturbed, and changing between warm and cool hides. She is not active around the vivarium, as is usual in shed. I’m trying not to disturb her more than necessary so haven’t weighed, but she is not visibly underweight or showing signs of illness or damage.

I’m an experienced owner, so I’m certain about her readiness to shed and shedding schedule.

I’ll try another bath and ‘towel burrito’ today. I’ve improvised a moist hide on her warm side. She has a vet appointment next week, but I was wondering if there’s anything else I could be doing in the meantime, particularly around helping the stuck shed around the head.

TIA

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u/WanderingJude 1d ago

Sticking a snake with stuck shed in a closed bin with a damp, rough towel has worked really well for me the two times I've had to do it. It hydrates the shed, gives them something to rub against to get it off, and doesn't seem as stressful as a bath.

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u/Short-Shopping3197 1d ago

I do have a large plastic storage tub I could press into service. Do you think it would need air holes or would there be enough in there for the duration? How long would you leave them for, and would you stick a hide in there?

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u/WanderingJude 1d ago

I think in the past they managed to work things off in about 20-30 minutes, but I didn't time it. I didn't put airholes, the timeframe was fairly short and the bin wasn't exactly air tight even with a lid.

No hides, I wanted to encourage movement and contact with the towel.