Helping a corn snake shed? Hasn't eaten in weeks.

[Shekibobo]

My corn snake O'rly is about three years old and is a pretty big eater, usually. However, he hasn't eaten in about 3 or 4 weeks and I think it's because of a bad shed. He's had some light scales pealing off his head and he seems to have fairly loose scaling around his belly scales. I've been putting food in his cage (mice), but he always ignores it. This behavior has happened before, and I think it's related to the shedding issue. I bought some ZooMed shedding aid, sprayed it on his skin, and rubbed it on for a while. Scales seem looser, but is there anything else I can do to help him out? I get the feeling he's as frustrated as I am about him letting all his food go to waste.

 

[lacy_black]

I soak mine in the tub weekly for about 15 to 30 minutes (Sin only takes about a 15 minute bath, I have to pull Ballz out after 30 minutes or he'd probably never get out :lol: ) and never had a bad shed.

 

[NYDragon]

You could also try the damp pillow case method. Just stick them in a damp pillow case (I use lukewarm to just slighty warm water so they don't freeze). The moisture will help loosen the skin and the snake moving in the pillow case will help rub it off. I hope he's doing better soon. Good luck!

Erin

 

[daddyburgi]

I too agree about the bath soaks. I have had to do that with my ball python, but luckly my corn has had 2 perfect sheds since I got him.

 

[WillUK]

Ive never had a bad shed but could the not eating be anything to do with mating season? when mating season comes our corns wont eat atall. Mines very large and very fat and eats LOADS but he wont eat for about 4/5 weeks during the mating season. My brothers does the same too.

 

[EShell]

The pillow case method works great.

As far as mating season, that's a very good suggestion, since about the time that the OP put this up was when our local rat snakes were fully involved in the Great Chase.