How Do You Straighten A New Shed Skin

[FOX]

I had tears earlier tonight, i thought my little fuzz ball had popped her clogs & gone off to the big T heaven in the sky:wall: But it was pointed out to me with tongue in cheek that she had shed:clap:
My first big T shed, i cant believe it
Any way, i want to straighhten it out, i was told that it can be ''soaked'' in luke warm water & washing liquid but i am a little dubious as i dont want to damage it.
Do you have any suggestions to the best way to do it with minimal damage. much appreciated. Jay:}

 

[Bloodletting]

Lay it on a flat surface, preferrably a tray of sorts, like a meat tray. Simply drop several drops of water, warm or cold into the area where the carapace popped off, you can see all the entrances to the legs. The water will soak right into the legs and other areas and it will be extremely pliable. Shape it as you like and let it dry. I use tweezers ... be very gentle.

Scott

 

[moricollins]

very carefully that's how.


water helps, as does dish soap (a little bit only)... soak for a couple minutes and voila, much easier to manipulate.

 

[Mattyb]

very carefully that's how.


water helps, as does dish soap (a little bit only)... soak for a couple minutes and voila, much easier to manipulate.

I agree. Most of the time if you get to it in time, then its still soft and you won't need water.


-Matty

 

[FOX]

B4 7 after manipulating skin

I've done it, many thanks for your help & advice.
I've straightened it out & put it over a lip balm tube to dry.
I do apologise for the crap pictures, my other half is getting me a new coolpix for christmas, so i can take some decent photos of my T's.:clap:

 

[PinkLady]

You can lightly mist it with water and carefully with tweezers straighten it out. Then just leave it to dry.

 

[fleshstain]

i use a little rectangular tupperware container....i just put a bottle cap full of water and snap the lid on tight....within a couple hours it's usually soft and pliable enough to reshape....

 

[Gesticulator]

Looks like you did a good job, Fox. I find it easiest to use alcohol on a Q-tip to starighten out the molt, as well as a small tweezer. Some molts ( like those form most of my avics) are simply hopeless!!

 

[DracosBana]

How can you reshape the abdomen? Can you stuff it somehow?

 

[Tony]

I'll toss out windex again..a few drops will do wonders...

 

[FOX]

Looks like you did a good job, Fox. I find it easiest to use alcohol on a Q-tip to starighten out the molt, as well as a small tweezer. Some molts ( like those form most of my avics) are simply hopeless!!

Thats a bit of a bummer then with your avics, my faves are my avics & i have been looking forward to them chucking, i'll just have to wait & see.

I just hope my skin dries out nicly & gets its fuzzy hairs back.

I have just seen my newly shed ball of fuzz & boy is she a ball of fuz, my little (not anymore) medium albopilsa looks like she's just come back from a blow dry at the hair salon. She's got bright ginger curly hairs & is just sooo dam CUTE. I just gotta shout it, sorry guys but i'm really happy.:worship: :clap:

 

[Gesticulator]

Yeah the avic really mangle their sheds! Nevertheless, molts are amazing to witness! Ummm... FOX? ...that pic on a dinner plate?....

Just kidding!

 

[becca81]

water helps, as does dish soap (a little bit only)... soak for a couple minutes and voila, much easier to manipulate.

Do you soak the entire skin or just dab parts of it?

I've been using a cup of water with a little bit of dish soap added, then using a small paintbrush to spread it on the skin. It usually works okay, but I've had several problems with the skin ripping. Maybe I'm not letting it soak long enough?

I've heard the Windex idea before and have been meaning to try it out.

 

[Philth]

I'll toss out windex again..a few drops will do wonders...

I have ben using windex since the last time I read about Tony using it. I agree, it works best for me. I use to soak them in soapy water, but that would often make the whole thing fall apart.

 

[FOX]

Yeah the avic really mangle their sheds! Nevertheless, molts are amazing to witness! Ummm... FOX? ...that pic on a dinner plate?....

Just kidding!

Dont understand? pic on a dinner plate- am i slow today?:?

 

[moricollins]

Do you soak the entire skin or just dab parts of it?

I've been using a cup of water with a little bit of dish soap added, then using a small paintbrush to spread it on the skin. It usually works okay, but I've had several problems with the skin ripping. Maybe I'm not letting it soak long enough?

I would soak the whole shed in a vial with some water and a single drop of dish soap, let it soak for about 10 minutes then remove it, rinse it off and then manipulate however I needed it.

Has worked for me the few times I've used it.

 

[JohnxII]

Add a drop or 2 of hand washing liquid soap into a small food box, add hot but not boiling water. Soak whole molt, close the lid. Let the steam do the work for 30min+. I've straighten out year-old molts with this method. Oh, after spreading I usually dry the thing on water absorbent paper, or kitchen towel/newspaper etc.