Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How often do Ball Pythons shed? Do the eyes change colors?

Mine shed on average once a month. However that can change. If they are growing really fast or have had an injury, it can be sooner. I rescued an emaciated adult ball. As I brought his weight up, he shed almost constantly.

Yes their eyes go cloudy blue for the first few days. Then they clear up and look almost normal. Then they shed.

Is that why She wont eat? Should I leave her alone? I got another question. Is a heating pad under the tank real important or can She wait another week till I get some money?

Yes. Generally Balls will go off feeding when they're in shed. My corn on the other hand eats all through sheds. And under tank heaters are important. However, if your temps and humidity are good, you should be ok till you get the pad.

The heat under the tank helps in digesting food, with out it they become impacted and will eventually stop eating and die. Its fairly important,although you could make do with a light on one side only,(temporarly) make sure its not to hot. A ball will burn themselves not being able to tell how hot it creeps up to. Keep a moist area to aid in shed (Large water bowl) Most important item is a temp gun it detects temp with infrared sensor aim and shoot. They are as cheap as 25.00 and are great. Good luck...mark Sisco

Yeah I got the day and nights on. I got schedule of 7am to 7 pm then I Switch. Humidity is about 55% and Temp during day is 85-90 degrees and at night around 65-75. She will digest regularly even went poop on my son! ha ha. How can I get the humidity up?

I like damp cypress as a bedding substrate But some think its messy or put some news paper down.. for humidity I bought a large pump up yard sprayer and I can spray a lot of snakes fast they love it... but a small spray bottle works fine on one or two. Any more than that gets you hand to hurting....

Thanks Guys. You been a big help.

note If your in a shed 55% it a little low shed may come of in peices,...mist him a couple time a day .If your useing an aquairium with a screen top it will stay to dry. I once had that problem and I got a piece of plexy glass cut at lowes to lay on top of screen to help contain humidity container. Dryed out snakes arent happy.

Would I have to cut holes out for light fixtures? Im thinking yes. What kind of tank do you have? You were right about my aquarium with screen lid?

I think I used the question mark too much that time. ha ha

You may want to rethnk your set up a little.. I like the light to shine in thru the plexy top it will still warm it. They make a mounting pole that clips to the table to hold the light at any desired height. Make sure hes got away to get out of the heat ...they wanna be warm then cool then warm then cool. My daughter has a tank in her room and we got it working great with the above set up.
Ive got breeding racks made made for breeding and they are nice but you can watch your snake in them.

If you are planning on switching tanks, you can keep humidity up by just covering about 60% of your cage top with a peice of plastic, like a but plastic bag.

A humid hide made out of a tupperware container with a large hole cut out of it is good too. I put cypress mulch or papertowels (which need to be changed every other day) in the bottom. I put mine on the warm side of the cage.
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1.1 ball pythons
1.1 kingsnakes
0.1 crazy cat
?.? ASFs
1.0 husband

Hey guys. I made this myself. When I switch the light I will slide glass to other side. What you think??

Sorry guys. wrong pic code

Here is a pic of my baby Girl " Sandy". Ready to shed??

Her eyes will clear up again a few days before she sheds.

Hey plexy looks great keep sandy damp until she sheds then she will be ready to eat

Ok guys.She shed and also ate so now Im relaxed. One question. Along with her sheddings was a big turd that looked like a cat took a crap in the tank. It was Dark Brown. Is this normal? The other poops were white before.