trouble with feeding and shedding

[ballpython1717]

hey. i have a sub adult male pastel ball python named oscar and he is my first reptile! i am having trouble keeping up the humidity in his terrarium and the pet store i got him from said to feed him every other tuesday but that dosent seem often enough....

[rmfsnakes32]

Imo if he is under a year I would feed every week pet stores are known for giving crappy advice! As for the humidity try misting and if its a screen top put a damp towel over the top (wet in down daily) that should help works for my boas

[alessia55]

If your enclosure has a screen top or too many ventilation holes, you will struggle with keeping your humidity levels stable. You'll want to get a solid top or cover the top as much as possible. Bedding might also be contributing to your problem. Aspen bedding, newspaper, and paper towels won't help you keep your humidity levels constant. You might want to consider switching over to ReptiBark or coco husk for substrate. You may want to mist your enclosure with a spray bottle with water as needed.

[ballpython1717]

i currently use reptibark and i have a have a mini humidifier hooked up to a timer sitting on top of the tank. i find it really hard to maintain because by the time i get home everyday it is empty...

[Jenn_06]

What kind of cage are you keeping it in? Fish tank with a screen top on it?

[ballpython1717]

a 40 gallon designed for reptiles

[Jenn_06]

you can move the water bowl to the warm side of the tank, spray water in the tank 2 times a day can help too.

[ballpython1717]

i just put a damp towel on the screen lid. the humidity is already at 76!

[rmfsnakes32]

Good just dampen the towel as needed I rotate a new towel everyother day just to make sure no fungus developes

[ballpython1717]

he still isnt shedding correctly though...

[GeckoGuy825]

A good way to keep proper humidity is to use a repti-fogger. They're kinda expensive but really awesome!!

[ballpython1717]

the humidity is fine ryan, he just wont shed though

[Gungirl]

What do you mean he just won't shed? Did he go through his "blue" stage ? If so and he is clear now it might take a 7-10days for him to shed. Snakes don't run on a set time line and sometimes it takes a bit longer than others.

Or do you mean he is shedding in pieces?

[ballpython1717]

he went through he "blue" stage and at first little flakes of old skin came off and after i got the humidity up to a consistant 80 degrees nothing has happened