Ball Python Shed Update.

ErikBush97 · 06-25-13, 11:25 PM

Hey, everyone. Here's an update on my Ball Python. He is not shedding yet but he's ready to start shedding at any time. Also, I have a question. Do they go blind during shedding because of the liquid that builds up? I ask because he has been VERY clumbsy and doesn't really seem to know where he's going while he's wondering in his tub. His eyes are almost white so hopefully he'll start actually shedding soon.

slowhite03 · 06-25-13, 11:33 PM

They don't go blind in a snake sort of way. They can still smell and sense you and see your heat and what not.

**Aaron_S** · 06-25-13, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErikBush97

Hey, everyone. Here's an update on my Ball Python. He is not shedding yet but he's ready to start shedding at any time. Also, I have a question. Do they go blind during shedding because of the liquid that builds up? I ask because he has been VERY clumbsy and doesn't really seem to know where he's going while he's wondering in his tub. His eyes are almost white so hopefully he'll start actually shedding soon.

5 days......

ErikBush97 · 06-26-13, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

5 days......

...What about 5 days?

valid · 06-26-13, 12:36 AM

Once they go blue, they usually go back to looking normal, and then they shed. It will be several more days before it sheds. I've had one last up to 2 weeks after it went blue.

Completely normal shed, all one piece etc. But it took forever for it to actually start.

ErikBush97 · 06-26-13, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valid

Once they go blue, they usually go back to looking normal, and then they shed. It will be several more days before it sheds. I've had one last up to 2 weeks after it went blue.

Completely normal shed, all one piece etc. But it took forever for it to actually start.

Oh! Thought it'd be a lot quicker for some reason lol thanks for the info. I picked him up the day his eyes started changing and he felt a lot softer so I figured he would shed pretty quick. Btw... If he hasn't shed by feeding day, should I still offer him food?

Mikoh4792 · 06-26-13, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErikBush97

Oh! Thought it'd be a lot quicker for some reason lol thanks for the info. I picked him up the day his eyes started changing and he felt a lot softer so I figured he would shed pretty quick. Btw... If he hasn't shed by feeding day, should I still offer him food?

I wait until after they shed. No particular reason. I just restart the weekly or bi-weekly feeding schedule from the day after my snake sheds.

Mark Taylor · 06-26-13, 02:14 AM

Some will eat some won't, offer food if due to find out.

Lankyrob · 06-26-13, 12:56 PM

The first time shed/feed clashes i offer food and see what happens, if the snake takes it then next time round i know that it probably will again, if the snake refuses then next time i save on wasting a rat.

ErikBush97 · 06-26-13, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

The first time shed/feed clashes i offer food and see what happens, if the snake takes it then next time round i know that it probably will again, if the snake refuses then next time i save on wasting a rat.

Thanks, man

**Pareeeee** · 06-27-13, 08:40 AM

Best to not handle a snake while it's shedding unless absolutely necessary. It's very stressful on their little bodies and handling can increase that stress.

I suggest increasing his humidity until he sheds, to about 80% or so.
You could give him a nice bath once he goes out of the "blue" stage. I line a small tub with a well rinsed and wrung out towel (detergents are bad for snakes) then pour some warm water in until the towel is good and soaked. I use a towel instead of just a bare tub with shallow water in the bottom. It makes them more comfortable. Leave him in it for about an hour, be sure the tub is placed somewhere warm during this time.

ErikBush97 · 06-27-13, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pareeeee

Best to not handle a snake while it's shedding unless absolutely necessary. It's very stressful on their little bodies and handling can increase that stress.

I suggest increasing his humidity until he sheds, to about 80% or so.
You could give him a nice bath once he goes out of the "blue" stage. I line a small tub with a well rinsed and wrung out towel (detergents are bad for snakes) then pour some warm water in until the towel is good and soaked. I use a towel instead of just a bare tub with shallow water in the bottom. It makes them more comfortable. Leave him in it for about an hour, be sure the tub is placed somewhere warm during this time.

Thanks, man

I'll try that

Lankyrob · 06-27-13, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pareeeee

Best to not handle a snake while it's shedding unless absolutely necessary. It's very stressful on their little bodies and handling can increase that stress.

I suggest increasing his humidity until he sheds, to about 80% or so.
You could give him a nice bath once he goes out of the "blue" stage. I line a small tub with a well rinsed and wrung out towel (detergents are bad for snakes) then pour some warm water in until the towel is good and soaked. I use a towel instead of just a bare tub with shallow water in the bottom. It makes them more comfortable. Leave him in it for about an hour, be sure the tub is placed somewhere warm during this time.

Why bathe a snake before finding out if the shed is going to be ok anyway? If the husbandry is right there is no need to bath a snake as a matter of course. Just let nature do its business snd leave the snake alone

And should you need to bathe the snake due to bad shed an hour is too long and never leave the snake unsupervised

**Pareeeee** · 06-27-13, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

Why bathe a snake before finding out if the shed is going to be ok anyway? If the husbandry is right there is no need to bath a snake as a matter of course. Just let nature do its business snd leave the snake alone

And should you need to bathe the snake due to bad shed an hour is too long and never leave the snake unsupervised

I think you are confusing my use of the word "tub" I mean an actual plastic tub with a lid, not a bathtub.

I would never leave a snake unsupervised in the bathtub or any place that wasn't escape-proof.
What's your source about the hour thing? I've been told more than once up to an hour soak in this type of bath?

...and Erik, Rob's right, you only need to bathe if your snake is having trouble or humidity is too low. I often bathe my Rosy Boa during shed because I always keep his humidity low, and I don't like misting his enclosure because of his low-humidity needs.
I was thinking of him and not my BP when I posted originally. My bad!

ErikBush97 · 06-27-13, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pareeeee

I think you are confusing my use of the word "tub" I mean an actual plastic tub with a lid, not a bathtub.

I would never leave a snake unsupervised in the bathtub or any place that wasn't escape-proof.
What's your source about the hour thing? I've been told more than once up to an hour soak in this type of bath?

...and Erik, Rob's right, you only need to bathe if your snake is having trouble or humidity is too low. I often bathe my Rosy Boa during shed because I always keep his humidity low, and I don't like misting his enclosure because of his low-humidity needs.
I was thinking of him and not my BP when I posted originally. My bad!

I put a small tub into his enclosure with a warm/wet towel in it, so he could choose if he wants to use is. It's on the warm side which is at 90 degrees so if he is having trouble shedding later on, I will just stick him in there. There is a hole on the side so he can get out and breathe and all that.