Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi guys last friday i bought a yearling female ball python from a pet shop near me. I was told to leave her for a while so i did. The next day i handled her for 5mins or so before putting her back in her vivarium. I was told she was abut to shed because her eyes were 'blue' and that she wouldnt need feeding until after she shed. Since i handled her she has done nothing but stay under a piece of bark. Earlier she poked her head out then when i went closer to the tank she retracted her head. I realise that she could be moving around when im out, i guess im just worried about her. I know not to handle her whilst she's in'slough' and the pet shop recommended that i dont hold her until she's eaten something. I just think its weird or not right that she is as far as i'm converned doing 'nothing', there's also no evidence that she's shedding either. How long from when there eyes go blue until she sheds? you must get this all the time, she's my first snake and im just a bit worried! thanks for your help

If you just bought it, the best thing to do is leave it alone. New additions to my collection are given days by themselves before I feed or handle. The snake needs time to acclimate and de-stress. As far as it hiding in the log all the time, welcome to the world of ball pythons. If you wanted an active snake, you picked the wrong breed. Some of my older specimens don't even come out at night anymore. She'll shed in time as well, sometimes they hold skin for a while and it will frustrate the (bleep) out of you, but just keep her misted and she'll get it off when she's good and ready. Good luck on raising a wonderful breed of snake and as always, feel free to post for advice.

John

First of all - ball pythons - do nothing - they spend most of their lives in their hides and rarely venture out except to hunt for food (except for babies). Plus its the time of season where they go into a sort of hibernation mode - so their activity levels decrease as dot their appetites.

Second of all -- if you just got her - it may take weeks for her to adjust to being in her new territory - just leave her be - you don't want to stress her out.

As for the shedding - that depends on the snake and the conditions - some blue clear up and shed in a matter of days - while others it can take a week. If she was in blue - and her eyes have cleared then give it another day or two before the shed - bump up your humidity in the cage to help her out. When she is done shedding you can try giving her a meal. A few days after she has eaten you can start handling her.

Congrats on your new addition.
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Tosha

When they are going to shed, first you will notice their belly becomes kind of pink (this freaked me out the first time I noticed it).

Next, her eyes will become "smokey", this will last a few days.

After that her eyes will clear up and she will almost look normal, except that her skin will feel kind of leathery and not have its smooth sheen. The shed will take place a couple days after that.

Your snake will crawl around and rub upon the rough surfaces of her cage, this will make her old skin begin to peel away.

With older animals, the shed process takes longer.

Alot of people recommend keeping the snakes cage at around 60 or more % humidity. Alot of people, myself included, keep their snakes cages around 45-50%. One thing I think everyone here agrees upon, is when they go into shed, increase the cage humidty to 60% and try and maintain this until the shed is done.

Good luck with her, post some pics if you can!!

Also, dont be afraid to ask alot of questions here. That is what makes this board great.

Some people (from time to time) may be rude with regard to simple questions, however, this board is not just a showroom for their latest product lines.

cheers for your help guys, i'll just leave her till she sheds then

Congrats...you have a normal ball python.
Mine come out like once a week.
They get especially defensive when they are "in the blue".

No worries.
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"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)

I didn't see one of my adult males for almost 6 months once. At one point I lifted his hide to make sure he was still alive...he just stared at me with this blank expression on his face like "what?" A few months later he resumed his normal nightime routine.

6 months without really moving, I wish I could do that and not gain any weight or lose any muscle mass...
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when life hands you lemons, make super lemons, bumblebees, etc...