well my snake had shedded his skin about two days ago now, and i was looking at the skin and it shows only one eye cap. but the whole skin was in one piece. then, i looked at my snakes eyes, but they look normal.. is it possible that the eye cap is still on there? cause his eyes do look clear, but Ive read that the eye cap could stay on his eye and look normal. please help, and give lots of detail and information, thank you!
2006-08-08 19:14:37 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Danger Will Robinson! Danger,danger!
OK retained eye caps need to come off. They will eventually cause blindness or worse an infection that might spread within the snake.
But it is DANGEROUS to the snake for you to take them off incorrectly!
If this just started the first thing I would do is increase the cage humidity. Supply a humid hide box to help with shedding. To make one, take an appropriate sized plastic food container & cut a hole in the top the snake will be able to fit through. Soak some clean long fiber sphagnum moss & squeeze out the excess water. Fill the box with fluffed up moss. The snake will learn to crawl inside when necessary & it will greatly help shedding.
One person suggested using tape to pull the eye caps off. That will often work if done gently. Please be carefull.
Never use forceps,tweezers or similar tools to pull of the cap - you could easily cause permemant eye damage.
If all else fails, take your snake to a vet with reptile experiance. A good vet is always worth the money spent.
2006-08-09 05:57:45 · answer #1 · answered by carl l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had ball pythons for quite a few years and my trick is to use a piece of scotch tape and fold it into a ring around your finger sticky side out. Then roll it over the eye. If it's ready to come off it will. If it isn't it won't. Sometimes if "just left alone" the cap will dent in and put a lot of pressure on the eye so it's best to get rid of them. Bathing also helps. (bonus...did you know that you can use a little bit of Ivory bar soap about every six months to keep your snake clean and mite free?) Everyone is saying don't touch it but believe me your snake will thank you.
2006-08-08 19:35:28 · answer #2 · answered by poutypitbull 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
MattC is right. Don't worry about a retained eye cap, it will come off with the next shed usually. If it really bugs you, you can get a friend to help & with a magnifying glass & tweezers,carefully remove the cap. You could also try a moist Q-tip or a damp towel rubbed over the snake's head.
2006-08-09 04:28:42 · answer #3 · answered by preacher55 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey i have two snakes.. alot of times on a whole shed u dont find both eye caps... I have had one snake one time have one eye cap remain and u could tell,, it just looked like a plastic covering still over the eye... sometimes indented looking.... if u do find out its on there dont touch it... u just need to mist the cage and it will come off by itself,, also i read in a snake book u can use eye drops a few in the eye.. but it sounds to me it came off and u dont see it anywhere,,,alot of times on our snakes one eye cap on the shed is missing... and i find it sometimes in the cage.
2006-08-08 19:21:55 · answer #4 · answered by *tattooe chick*** 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah don't worry about it mate Ive got something like 20 snakes all pets and if it is still on there it will come off next shed but it sounds to me that it has just fallen away from the main shed don't panic and don't try to take it off.
maybe raise the humidity in the tank by putting in a bigger water container and raise the heat.
good luck
2006-08-08 19:41:54 · answer #5 · answered by matt c 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cover the eye with a damp paper towel for about 10 minutes. After that, take the paper towel and gently stroke it over the eyes. If they don't come off or move at all, do another 10 minutes. Usually after a bit of moisture they will slide right off.
2006-08-09 08:04:37 · answer #6 · answered by Dreamer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes this can stay on your snakes eye. Do not try picking this off! Give your snake water to soak in or take it to the vet, do not do it on your own. You can hurt your snake. This is my advise. Used to have a snake rescue.....
2006-08-08 19:20:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if both eyes are clear then you shouldn't worry. if it had retained an eyecap you could tell right away from the cloudiness. although if your still worried watch your snake and see if he rubs his eye against anything. if he does or your still worried, then you should soak him for about 5 minutes in room temp water. good luck
2006-08-12 14:15:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. it comes off.You just think its there but your snake is ok. It could have eaten it. Watch on discovery channel
2006-08-09 16:39:30 · answer #9 · answered by alvinyprime 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I concur with carl l's answer.
Well written and said.
2006-08-09 07:01:22 · answer #10 · answered by badger_n 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋