Deadly shed

[guidofatherof5]

Tonight I was working with one of my baby radix groups. I had gone out and collect one of the last food runs for the year. We get 1 more day in the 50's then it's highs near freezing.
I had just finished hand feeding one of my timid eaters, when I moved the hide and saw a little one in trouble. The little dark phase radix was barely moving and looked terrible. I knew immediately what the problem was. A failure to shed. We all know that a failed tail shed can cause a tail tip to be lost from loss of circulation. That smaller old skin constricts the effected area and before you know it you have a stubby tail snake. Checking this snake over I could see that the only part of its shed that was done was her chin. It was difficult to see any respiration and I knew she was in trouble.
Up stairs to the bathroom sink we went. 10 minutes later and a lot of warm running water and someone took a deep breath. I think I will name her Phoenix.
She is the only baby in that group that has had a shed problem. Same water is available to her as all the others. Same humidity for all the snakes.
I don't understand why she would have this problem. Strange, very strange indeed.

[drache]

I've had this happen and it puzzles me as well
good you caught it in time

[ssssnakeluvr]

I have had that happen a few times....no idea why they don't shed....

[Snaky]

I've also had this happen to 1 of my concinnus this year. She had some good sheds before, but 1 failed shed was sufficient:(

It's indeed very strange, but I also don't have an explanation.

[bkhuff1s]

Perhaps the baby snake simply was not aware of what it was supposed to do. Sounds like I'm oversimplifying the situation, maybe I am, but I'm sure most of their first moments are trial and error.

[guidofatherof5]

Perhaps the baby snake simply was not aware of what it was supposed to do. Sounds like I'm oversimplifying the situation, maybe I am, but I'm sure most of their first moments are trial and error.

Great thought but this baby had shed 2 times before this without any problems.

[ConcinusMan]

Shedding problems are pretty common, with neonates, at least that's been my experience with concinnus. Yes, I always lose a few out the batch, and it's usually some of the one's that have shed problems. Usually the smaller weaker looking one's. Even the larger strong one's have shedding problems sometimes. As you can imagine, my largest litter of 50 was quite a bit of work to look after. About 10 of them consistently had shedding problems the first few times, but if you watch them closely, and gently help them when it's needed, they generally get past that and start having normal sheds. If you don't lose them, that is.

[guidofatherof5]

I found one of my radixes in trouble today. A retained shed had almost immobilized him.
5 minutes in a shed box to loosen up the shed and up stairs to the bathroom sink.
A few moments later and he's done. Time will tell is any damage was done.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/deadly_shed.jpghttp://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/deadly_shed1.jpg

[gregmonsta]

Good save once again mate ;)

[guidofatherof5]

At this point I'm worried as he's lethargic.
I hope I caught it in time.

[ZombieKitty]

Glad you got to her in time, will keep my fingers crossed. Phoenix is a great name :)

[guidofatherof5]

Glad you got to her in time, will keep my fingers crossed. Phoenix is a great name :)

So let it be written, so let it be done.
Phoenix it is. Thanks.;)

[andycul]

Very fitting name for her, hope she manages to shed ok next time but if not at least she is in good hands