Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My ball python his been having some problems lately. Hes not a stubborn feeder at all, he has a huge feeding response. When i first got him he would nab every mouse i stuck infront of him with no problems, lately hes been having trouble grabbing them. As soon as i hang the mouse in his inclosure(with tongs) he comes up in the air ready to strike, but never seems to know where it is.

He strikes up at absolutely nothing, when the mouse is right next to his head. Eventually im able to help him get ahold and he is feeding once a week i just wanted to know if i should be worrying about this.

His shed is also a problem. I have two boas in the exact same conditions and they shed fine, but hes had the top middle of the skin of his back stuck on there for at least 2 months now. I spray his enclosure daily, and have soaked him three times now for a half an hour each and the damn skin wont come off.
Help would be appreciated.

You need to get the skin off. Soak him and then use a towel and gently help him. You can feel if the skin is soaked enough. That maybe part of his problem why he is striking is off, He can not use his heat sensors and he can not see to well.What kind of set up is he in? I usually when mine are going into a shed I bump up the humidty to about 80%. Good luck with the shed.

What are his conditions? Housing? Substrate, etc?

Also, are you feeding live?
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

I have him in a basic plastic container with enough holes for good ariflow, but still keeps the humidity in. I use underbelly heat tape on less then one half the cage, the hot spot is around 88-90, the ambient doesnt get below 79. I spray thecage daily, and since it doesn have a screen top it hold humidity pretyy well.

I feed frozen thawed.
Should i just soak him and then try to lightly rub it off with a wet towel? Ive hadquite a few boas/pythons before, and have only had a problem with sheds a couple times, all to which came off pretty easily after one soaking

At first glance, it does not sound like a humidity issue. There might be some other health issues. I would soak him and just watch the next shed.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

Hes been on aspen bedding for a while now, but i just fed him last night, cleaned his cage out and put him on newspaper.