Hognose shedding question

[jeanette]

i didnt notice those loose scales either, had to squint (still dont know where my glasses are)
definately wet bag!!

[Lori P]

Thanks James!! Wet bag it is. Wonder if the Carefresh is too dry for them as they stay burried so much??

[adamanteus]

It's possible, Lori. It is usually too low humidity that causes this. But be careful... the opposite extreme is scale-rot... you don't want that problem! A couple of hours wet-bagging is no big issue and nothing to worry about.

[Lori P]

What do others here with hogs keep them on? I know Kevin had these on the Carefresh with no problem, but, maybe my house is dryer than his. Ideas for me? I want them to be able to burrow, as that's so much a part of their nature... I do have a very large water tub in there, so was assuming the evaporation would be enough. Never assume!!!!

[jeanette]

I dont keep Hognoses Lori P, but the few people i do know that keep them, keep them on various substrates. Some keep them on cocofibre (ecoearth), some on paper towels and others keep them on bark chippings.
i wasnt aware that hognoses have a problem with shedding, get him in a wet bag and then try and raise the humidity. i think the substrate is going to have to be what works best for you. if you think the substrate suits you but might be too dry then you could try a moss box. i use a moss box for my royal/ball python as they are notoriously bad shedders, when he is due to go into blue he heads for his damp moss box and stays there till hes ready to shed.
Anybody else got any ideas?

[drache]

Lori
I keep mine on carefresh and haven't had a problem
do you know how to make a damp hide?
my hognose doesn't need it, but snakes are individuals too and yours might like it

but just recently I had a garter with this dry wrinkled shed despite access to a damp hide, so who knows . . .

[Lori P]

I did make them a damp hide, out of a little tupperware container with damp moss in it, and a small hole in the lid. :-) Now, will that moss mold?? How often should it be changed out?

THANKS guys!!!

[drache]

if you wring it as out well enough, it shouldn't mold at all
it does dry out after a while and I find that I can re-dampen it once or twice
it helps to just mist it a bit every so often
my snakes rarely poop in the damp hides, so they don't get smelly
sometimes shed ends up in them
either way the moss breaks down after a while and needs to be tossed

[reptileparadise]

If you look at the snakes' coil, at the top of the second pic, you'll see the scales sloughing individually. That's wrong.

Good observation! Missed that one...Now i'm with what James said...

[Lori P]

Harry has been in the damp hide all day-- I don't know if he shed in there, I haven't wanted to bother him. But he certainly seems to be comfortable in it... it's like a snake sauna!! :-)

Thank you for all the help, will keep you posted!