Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got a ball python at the end of May and it is my 2nd ball, the first I got in March. What I am worried about is the snake started to shed at the end of June, but never shed its skin. Most of the skin has fallen but still has some left and has not grown or shed its skin all summer and I am worried that something it wrong with it. It is eating fine, but just is still the same size as when I got her. What I want to know is, should I be worried about my snake and take her to the vet or something, or just wait. My first snake is a male and has grown since I got him and now she is like half the size.

Greetings! Based on the available info, my guess is you're not feeding this snake very often. If you pick up the pace and feed more frequently and gradually increasing-sized meals, the snake would shed every 30-45 days. If you soak this snake in luke-warm water (about 1" deep) overnight it'll loosen some of the skin, if not most. Keep a heat pad partially under the container and check the water temp frequently to make sure you don't par-boil the snake. The humidity should be raised in its home cage. This coupled with a better feeding regimen will kick-in a shed cycle. The key here is to make sure you get a good shed. Make sure when he goes into the blue that your humidity is UP. Don't worry-be patient-you'll get your snake back on track!
Scott J. Michaels DVM

question for you, i have had my snake since march and he has eaten nothing what so ever, yet shed's every 30 days or so, how can increasing their meals have anything to do with the way they are being fed?

question for you, i have had my snake since march and he has eaten nothing what so ever, yet shed's every 30 days or so, how can increasing their meals have anything to do with the way they are being fed?

question for you, i have had my snake since march and he has eaten nothing what so ever, yet shed's every 30 days or so, how can increasing their meals have anything to do with the way they are being fed?

I feed them a fuzzy mouse every 5-7 days, how much sould I feed them? should I feed them something bigger, because it looks like that is about the right size for them. I read you should feed them about the size as the biggest part of the body. Anyway thanks for the help.