Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had my baby ball python for about 12 weeks. It has never shed, eats about every week to 10 days, it's color and skin has always looked great. As of yesterday, he looks dull in color and really wrinkly. He does have bits of skin peeling near his head. He is also lethargic. I read in The Ball Python Manual that I should give him Gatorade if he's dehydrated, which I tried last night. I'm also spraying water into the tank to help increase humidity. The gauge says humidity is at 50% now, it was just under 40% before I sprayed the water in this morning. My wife thinks this is just shed and I should leave him alone. I feel like something is wrong with him. I think he is dehydrated. What do I do to help him if he is dehydrated. He has a full bowl to drink and soak in. Thanks.

Is this your first snake? I can understand that perhaps you're worried that you aren't doing a good job taking care of it, but I think you're over reacting here. Sounds like it's just a shed. He'll clear up in a day or two then next thing you know you'll have a hunk of dead snake skin somewhere in his tank to clean out.

Keeping his humidity at 40% is good, however since he is at the foot of his shed cycle you're going to need to keep that humidity at about ` to p.

I'm no expert but have gone through extensive shed problems with my BP and was rewarded last week with a full 28" shed.
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Adam

"I wish I were wise! I wish I were wise from the heart of me, like my serpent!"

Well he should shed in one piece. I use moss in my cage to keep humidity up. I use it in one of his hide spots and then I have a heating pad under his water and it hold a temp of 80 deg. This also with the moss help keep him hidrated. I also soak him once a week while I clean his cage. He always sheds in one piece. Humidity should be around 80% - 85% in tank...Hope this will help!