Hello.
I just purchased my first ball python two days ago...after reading just about everything I could find about them. The trouble is, I have never kept a snake before and what you learn in practice is something you can't read in books!
This hatchling was beginning to shed when I bought him, although the owner said he was having trouble managing the humidity levels in his new store and that he might have some trouble shedding...because it appears that he began the shed from the tail first. Otherwise, he is alert and healthy looking. Anyway, it's been two days. His skin looks kind of dry, like it wants to shed, but despite misting, a lil bath in some water with shed ease and pretty good temps/humidity, he still isn't shedding. How long does it really take for a shed to happen and when should I start worrying? I am concerned because I am supposed to feed him tonight and he still hasn't shed the skin from about 3/4 of his body.
Any insight would be a great help.
Thanks.
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When should I worry about shedding?
Replies (7)
I would definatly get the rest of the skin off of the snake. I would soak the snake in a little luke warm water (about an inch or so) and leave it in there about 30 mins or so. I usually put a towel, or some paper towels, so the snake can not drown. Then take the snake out, and take a wet towel and run the towel over the snakes intire body from head down to tail. After a few passes the skin should begin to fall off. It is not healthy to leave unshed skin on the snake, all the skin should come off in a normal shed cycle. In the future I would recommend higher humidity, especially when shedding, so it can shed completely. Also next time you see him go into a shed, start misting that day, and don't stop until it has shed.
Hope this helps,
Jason
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What you can do is provide him with humidity retreat box. Get a rubbermaid container and cut a hole on top of the lid and fill the the box with damp sphagnum moss or cypress mulch...don't use the cedar mulch. And you can provide something that provides traction so he get a hold of it and pull the skin off. You can get like a branches from tree from your backyard, or something. And you can soak him in warm water for a few minutes every once in a while to soften up the skin...making it come off more easily. You can also provide a water dish large enough for him to soak in...personally, I have never seen mine never in it.
