Help, I think my bp sheds to much?!?!?

[ballpython5000]

ok i have never really seen any other of the bps or snakes i have ever owned do this. my 7 month old 30 inch bp is going into shed about every week and a half to two weeks. most avergae one per month. is this over shedding a sign of a problem? almost 2 weeks ago and it ready to shed today or tomorow already! well im just wondering if the same things happen to you guys. and i need to know if maybe somethin wrong with it.
thanks

[BurmBaroness]

could be one of 2 things. Either he is in a growth spurt, or you are feeding him too much. Since I don't know how you feed, I cannot say for sure. Also, I would check for mites, but I believe you would have noticed them by now. I have a female BCI who went through a growth spurt, on a 7 day feeding schedule, with one appropriate sized prey item, she was shedding every 2-3 weeks. But 2 weeks sounds a little too often. You feeding schedule and amount/size of prey would help.

[ballpython5000]

they mice are huge and it averages one per week.

[BurmBaroness]

As long as the mice are not too big, ie just s tad bigger than the snake at it's largest girth, then it is probably a growth spurt.

[stormyva]

When you say huge... are they the right size for the snake? Apprx the same diameter as the snake at it's widest point?

[Jeff_Favelle]

Unless they are Super-mice, I doubt that they would be too big, as Ball Pythons can take adult mice straight from the egg. So unless its a runt Ball or a giant-a$$ mouse, it would be impossible for the mouse to be too big, especially seeing it isn't a brand new, freshly-hatched BP.

[unknownclown]

Out of curiosity how often should a snake shed? Mine are shedding basically the same as ballpython5000's

[ballpython5000]

the mice are slightly large then its width.

[snakemann87]

an average of 1 per month is good. As burmbaroness asked, how often do you feed clown? My snakes shed 1 time a month, and i have them feeding every sunday.

[milo]

Im not an expert but i think it is a growth spurt. After and before it sheds id measure it to see if it gets any longer just to check if it is a growth spurt just to be on the safe side

[ballpython5000]

yeah a 6 month growth spurt. its a rapid grower i guess.

[Leo-Land]

How's the shedding coming BP5000? Last I heard, it would come off in pieces and not all nice like it should.

[ballpython5000]

it will shes very soon. i have started misting both of the bp cages so this shed should go without a problem.its eyes look soo weird when its in shed. my bp used to have wrinkles and dents all over its eye. and now with the frequent misting that has totally reversed. the little squirt bottle has done a whole lot of good. i hope for once to get a flawless perfect shed from it. ill kepp you informed.

[snakemann87]

remember to measure the snake after, not the shed. The shed isnt always the snakes actual size. I dont mist my balls cage and he sheds just fine? Hows the humidity do you have a gauge?

[Blackwidow69]

My young female BP's are shedding every 3 weeks and they are getting fed one large size mouse once a week.. I dont mist my BP's cages and they shed fine to but i also have alot of humidity in my house as its like a jungle in here from all the house plants. They give off alot of humidity becasue i mist them everyday and the fish tank water evaporates alot so that gives off humidity to.. Could be spring time baby growth spurts... :D ;)

[Burmies]

I think what is happening is that the snake could have somthing internaly wrong, like a broken rib and is trying to fix it through sheds. This is just my opinion.

Burmies

[ballpython5000]

no broken ribs

[snakemann87]

are you sure?? how can you tell? are you sure its EXACTLY two every two weeks? Do you mean he sheds then two weeks later he has another shed?

[Linds]

As forementioned, a growth spurt is a possible cause for the frequent sheds. However, I would closely examine everything to rule out the possibility of mites or any other injury or illness. Snakes will have an increased amount of sheds if their is any illness or trauma to the skin.

Originally posted by unknownclown
Out of curiosity how often should a snake shed? Mine are shedding basically the same as ballpython5000's

There are many variables that help to determine how often a snake will shed, such as growth rate and health. There isn't a set frame for any species. All snakes have their own shed cycles unique to them.

[hip]

Are you using vitamines when you feed? an over abundance of vitimine A will cause this reaction to occour in boids and In some species shedding rates will double from the extra vitimine a



Hip

[ballpython5000]

nope plain ol rodents