Novice Caring for a friends Snake - Humidity Issues

[zendragonsdearfriend]

I live in NYC and have a super old, dry heating system that keeps the snake's cage at about 20% humidity. I was wondering what the best way to ensure that a proper level is maintained (I was told 50% is common). He shed last night as well, what is the proper waiting period to begin feeding the snake again? Thanks for any input.

[Stefan-A]

Depends on the enclosure. If it's one with a mesh lid, cover most of it to reduce ventilation and mist the enclosure. You can also add a humid hide, or just an open box with moist moss. Or live plants or a larger water dish. There are lots of solutions.

No waiting period is necessary, unless the snake sets one by not eating.

[chris-uk]

Another option, if you don't have moss available, is to use wet crumpled up sheets of kitchen rolls in a bowl/tub of some description (you don't want the wet moss or whatever making the substrate wet).

As Stefan said, just start offering the food when the next feed is due (assume Zendragon told you when to feed next and frequency?). I think all of my snakes eat as soon as it's offered after a shed.

Also, I assume you were told what to check with the shed? That the eyecaps have both been shed and that the tail is complete? And if the shed isn't in one piece that there aren't any areas of retained shed? I know he was worried about going away with the shed due anytime.

And congratulation on your first snake shed, were you lucky enough to see it happen?

[guidofatherof5]

Nice to have you on the forum.
You've gotten some good advice.
Here's a link to the care sheet.
Garter Snake Forum - Garter Caresheet (http://www.thamnophis.com/index.php?page=caresheet)

[EasternGirl]

Welcome to the forum! I'm glad that you decided to come to us for help. Anything that we can do to help you while Zendragon is away...we will be glad to assist you. As Chris said, just check the snake and make sure that he got all of the shed off properly. If not, we can tell you what to do to help get any retained shed off. If the snake is due to eat, he will probably be hungry now that he shed. Very nice of you to look after your friend's snake while he is away. :)

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[zendragonsdearfriend]

Thank you for all of your great advice, it was really helpful. I got the humidity back up and consistent. I actually missed his shedding. When I got home I saw three large, separated, sections of his shed from the tip of his tail up to what appears to be his head.
Thanks again, this is a great forum.


Depends on the enclosure. If it's one with a mesh lid, cover most of it to reduce ventilation and mist the enclosure. You can also add a humid hide, or just an open box with moist moss. Or live plants or a larger water dish. There are lots of solutions.

No waiting period is necessary, unless the snake sets one by not eating.

[kibakiba]

You're going to want to make sure that all the skin is off of him.

[EasternGirl]

Yes...please check over him carefully to look and see if you can see any shed left on him...look carefully around his face, eyes, neck, and tail especially. If you see any shed on him anywhere...please let us know.

[guidofatherof5]

Check the shed skin for 2 eye caps and see if all the tail is there.

[zendragonsdearfriend]

Thanks for all your concern! I checked the snake thoroughly and his shed. He's fully shed including his eyelids and he's been resting in his pool for the most part of the day. It seems to be going smoothly. Thanks.

[katach]

Good news!

[EasternGirl]

Great to hear...thanks for the update!