Well, I thought I had me a good operation going, since it's worked for so long without any problems. I use
indented kraft paper as a substrate, and at first just laid it in the cage. Then they figured out they could hide underneath it, but the roughness of the 60 lb paper was causing nose rubs to develop, and I don't like my snakes with scabs on their noses. So I started taping down the edges of the paper.
This has worked really well for me over the yrs I been doing it, although I admit the whole taping down the edges is a big pain in the butt.
Well recently, I obtained a nice little BC Sabogae. Been wanting one for a while now, and finally got one. He's a tiny little guy. About as big as a night crawler and probably doesn't weigh any more then one either. He hazed over after eating a couple mouse crawlers, and was just at the state where he's clearing up. That means 3-4 days before he sloughs his skin.
So I bring up his humidity a little and start keeping a closer eye on him, waiting for the big moment of his first shed in my care. That's to me is always a special moment. I come home Monday after noon from work, and go check on him, and I don't see him in his hide where he's been since he started the ecdysis process. So I look around the cage, and there he is, just laying there stretched out with tight little "S" shapes running the length of his body. I reach in and touch him, he's cold, and didn't move. My heart just sank.
So I go to pick him up, and he had a go at me. Tried pretty hard anyway. Can't hold that against him though. The poor dude worked loose a piece of the tape, and managed to stick his entire belly to it. I'm sure he was quite upset about it. So I patiently unstick him from the tape, and carefully examine him. Seems the tape forced his slough to happen a couple days early, as it was also stuck in pieces to the tape.
You might think, "no biggy", but in reality, it is. To me anyway. Ecdysis is a very delicate process of fluid and chemical exchanges in the body and dermis and it's really important that they complete this process before they lose the old skin. By forcing the old skin off early, you risk permanent scarring and skin fungi problems. You don't want either one, believe me. It's one thing to have a messed up snake, quite another to know it's your fault.
So, we got him cleaned up, soaked real well, and examined again. Unfortunately, he may have some scarring from the ordeal, which saddens me to no end.
I am hoping after a couple more sheds, it will clear up the splotches and rough scales left behind by this ordeal. Can't do much more then that except keep him in hospital like conditions till his next shed to prevent any fungal problems.
MORAL of the story:
Learn from my mistake. Many people have voiced a liking to the method I use for the substrate. That's fine, but you will no longer find any tape in my cages. Tape and snakes is an evil combination. PLEASE KEEP TAPE OUT OF THE ENCLOSURES.
It just absolutely kills me to think of what this poor little guy went through.
I hope someone learns from this, is the only reason I am sharing this embarrassment. Take heed, please.
Rick
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