Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. My brother recently got a ball python. (about a month and a half ago) To my knowledge everything was going ok until about a week or two ago. At first we noticed that the snakes eyes started to get foggy, which we know that is a sign of shedding, but the snake never shed and a few days later his eyes cleared up. The snake also hasn't eaten anything in 2 weeks. He is young (don't know exactly how old he is), so is it normal for him to not eat often? Also, I'm not sure if he has gone over to his water dish recently, is there a chance he could get dehydrated? If so, would misting him help him not become dehydrated? Any help/advise is greatly appreciated. This is the first snake my family has had (always had lizards and turtles) so we are new to them. Thanks in advance!!

If his eyes have cleared he should shed anyday. Just make sure he has the humidity he needs for a clean shed. Good luck.
-----
Nita Hamilton
--------------
Ball Pythons
ballpythonworld.com

Thanks Nita for responding! The humidity is good so we'll see what happens. I don't know if you seen my updated post, but he just ate. Its such a relief knowing he has something in his stomach.

Good news!! He ate!! We just tried a different technique of feeding him and within a minute he had the food in his mouth. We were getting really worried. I am so happy right now!

Sounds like he is too dry. Put him in a sink with 3"-4"of warm water and let him soke a wile (5-10) at least 2-3 times a day until it sheds . All so Balls are stupid by nature and may not know how to shed and you may have to help it .
ps.GOOD LUCK WITH ALL YOU DO

Shedding is an instinct. All reptiles that need to shed do so, it has nothing to do with intelligence. Your snake needs to feed at least once a week. His size will dictate what size mouse/rat to feed him. Depending on the appetite he may take more than one prey item at a feeding.If you do soak him make sure the water is not too warm as their body temp, is different than ours.
-----
In Loving Memory of the best Brother God gave me
Sgt. Arnold DuPlantier II
(Army National Guard, Charlie Rock Co.)
06/03/1979-06/22/2005
Support Our Troops

Are YOU really that dumb??

If the humidity is right the ball will shed, they aren't stupid, owners that don't meet their requirements are. If you provide them proper temps and humidity they do what they should. If you do not give them the right temps and humidity they won't shed.
-----
Nita Hamilton
--------------
Ball Pythons
ballpythonworld.com

No I'm not dumb I was telling him a way to give faster relief for what some one had already stated was a husbandry problem.
some new keepers do not always know how to correct the problem
or understand the way some people talk to them on this forum.
so are you really going to tell me that what I said will not give the snake relief. or are you that stupid. ps. It has been proven that Ball Pythons highly lack the same level of intelligence that other snakes have!!

What was dumb is saying that the snake won't shed because it is too stupid to figure out how!! It is instinctual and as long as husbandry is right the snake will do it. Telling her that her snake might have a bad shed because it is mentally challenged does not improve the husbandry just gives an excuse for the animals poor condition that makes the keeper feel like it isn't their fault when it most likely is.

Also many snakes will refuse to eat when they are in shed as well when they are going into shed within a day or two. Since yours ate expect the shed to be coming very soon.
-----
Nita Hamilton
--------------
Ball Pythons
ballpythonworld.com

First off as I had already stated the two posters ahead of me had addressed the husbandry issue I was just trying to get fast relief for the snake as dry skin is very irritating for them. and not only have I seen several but own one that will not!!!!! shed for his self the skin will be literally sagging
all over & he will not rub or any other method to remove it . He is dumb as a box of hammers .And I don't need you to tell me what I have experienced first hand. I have 35 years working with
reptiles and worked at the Houston Zoo As volunteer tech in the reptile house in my late teens. maybe I'll start 2nd gessing all your replies because any one can find something wrong with just about any reply on here {something someone left out or did not reference to at all} but thanks for your concern.

I think you all are missing the point of this person's question. S/he was just confused about when the snake is supposed ot shed, and is probably not making ANY husbandry mistakes... they just didn't understand that the snake will clear up before they shed, not shed while they are in blue. Take it easy on them GEEZ.
-----

1.0 Spotted Python
1.0 IJ Carpet Python and 0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Macklot's Python
1.0 Variable Kingsnake

I hope so please do not give any more advice like that.
-----
Vince Pramuk

For future reference,
The next time he starts to shed, If he don't eat don't worry, He will usually eat after he sheds.
Most of my BP's won't eat during the shed process, although some will.

Jason

The cloudiness you saw is when the snake secretes an oil beneath their skin, which helps to separate the old skin from the new layer underneath. The snake will stay cloudy liek this for a few days, and then the cloudiness will clear up for a few days before they shed. Do not try to pull off the skin yourself unless it has been at least over a week. The reason they do not shed immediately after being in slough(cloudiness) is because they need a few days to let the new layer of skin underneath form and harden. If you try to pull of the skin too early (as some have suggested), You could injure you snake or even pull off a few scales! Just be careful, keep the humidity in the tank up while he is shedding by lightly misting with a spray bottle every day or two, and have patience. Snakes don't live their lives at the same fast pace as us humans... just give him some time and he will do his thing. Also congrats on getting him to eat while in slough, sounds like you have a good feeder there.
-----

1.0 Spotted Python
1.0 IJ Carpet Python and 0.1 Jungle Carpet
0.1 Ball Python
0.1 Macklot's Python
1.0 Variable Kingsnake