Pre-Shed...In the "Blue?"

[dbassa]

Hey Folks, here are some pic's of my new ball. I have had it (gender unknown at present-still undecided on a name) for almost a week. Friday the 15th of June was it's first day home. I was thrilled when it ate on Tuesday the 19th. It ate a mouse fuzzie that was a bit too small, but I am planning on feeding every 4 days till the fuzzies are gone (got six- what the store was feeding) and then try the next larger prey item. It's (hate calling it "it") been drinking a lot and has gotten into its water dish at least once a day since I brought it home. Also, hiding a lot, which I took as a good sign since, based on my research, they are quite a reclusive species.

Anyway, during the day the hot side is 88F and cool side has been right at 83F. Humidity has been pretty consistant between 50 and 60 percent since coming home last Fri. I usually take a look at it once a day (unless it's out and about) and have not noticed the eyes turning hazy. So...is it in the "blue?" Getting ready to shed? I did several more spritzes of mist to try to get the humidity up around 70. LOVES the velveeta cheesy skillets box btw! Could care less about the half log hide on the warm side. Occasionally lays on top of the log soaking up infrared rays. The top of the tank is made of birch plywood that I cut from some scraps I had. Helps keep things humid...at least that was the idea...Thanks, David

[alessia55]

Congrats on your new scaly friend! :)
Yes, it looks like s/he is getting ready to shed. Leave him/her alone until s/hes done shedding; not handling.
You'll want to switch him/her over to RATS as soon as possible. Mice will never get large enough for an adult ball python, and it can be harder to switch them to rats when they're older (since some ball pythons can be picky eaters). So if you can, try finding rats that are the right size for him/her, and offer those instead of the mice.
Out of curiosity, it doesn't look like there aren't any holes in your enclosure; is there any room for air flow? Or are you opening the enclosure at least once a day? Is that bulb the only heat source?

[snake man12]

Even if the bulb was the only heat source his temps are still in an acceptable range.

[alessia55]

Even if the bulb was the only heat source his temps are still in an acceptable range.

Oh, I know. I'm just curious.

[snake man12]

Oh, I know. I'm just curious.

Ok just thought maybe you had accidently skimmed over that part:D

[dbassa]

Thanks for the reply(s)!

Alessia55-the top has 10, quarter inch holes, 5 on cool side and 5 on warm. About 2 and 1/2 inches total ventilation, and I am wondering if that is too much...The first day I had em home the humidity got down to 46 percent with no misting-just what the water dish may have contributed above ambiant-so I started misting after that and its been above 50 percent thereafter. There is a heat pad that I try to keep under (yes, under) 88 degreees, and in Houston in the summer that's a challenge. It's on a rheostat for now on the lowest setting during the day but, I find I am constantly having to adjust it up when the A/C kicks on in the evening, so I'll likely get a thermostat before I have to go back to work in the fall (teacher-off for the summer woo hoo!!!...not that I don't like my job or anything:-)) I open the lid in the morning to mist and inspect the water dish and sometimes in the evening for a spritz if the humidity looks like its getting low. I have not handled it since at the pet store. Then I fed em and have not handled because of that...and now the shed! I have been just putting my hand in to let it "smell" me but that's it. How long between the blue eyes and the actual shed?

Thanks for the confirmation snakeman12-I have kept fish for years and it's still one of my fav hobbies, so nothing much phases me anymore about things aquatic, been there done that-but with this new critter I find I am close to anxiety wanting to make sure I am doing right by it. Never taken care of a reptile before....I have to say, I can't for the life of me figure out what took me so long! Reptiles are super cool!

[alessia55]

I have been just putting my hand in to let it "smell" me but that's it. How long between the blue eyes and the actual shed?

Letting it smell you won't do much. If anything it might be a bit stressful to have you putting your hand in there. Remember that we are predators to them.

The time between blue eyes and the actual shed varies per snake. Some only take a few days, some take up to 2 weeks. Don't be surprised if you see his eyes go normal, but see no shed skin. The eyes clear up right before they shed. So if you see his eyes clear up, wait until you see the actual shaded skin before you handle or anything like that. Ideally, you should wait to make sure he's eating for you regularly before you start handling (since handling can be stressful; it's unnatural for snakes to be picked up). :)

[dbassa]

Alessia55-Good advice, thanks!