Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, about two weeks ago I had a post on here about my (baby) ball not eating. I said how he was consistantly eating two mice every 5 days and then just stopped. As soon as I put him in his feed container he would get active, ignore the mouse, and try to get out. Well, I think I now know why he is not eating. He is getting ready to shed. I looked at him today and he is a dull color and has the blue eyes. I really hope I am right and this is causing him not to eat. Does anybody else have this problem or know if my "theory" is true? If it is true, why does it happen and I bet he is going to be real hungry after his shed.

Thanks,
Mike

it is quite normal for balls to stop feeding before a shed. Although mine usually eats up to the day before a shed.
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Long Beach, CA
0.0.1 Ball Python

There are probably several reasons why snake usually won't eat during a shed cycle. They can't see as well, they don't 'want' to harm their new skin, and then there's my personal theory, that shedding your skin is incredibly itchy.
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Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

not to mention some snakes get really scared/threatened/stressed during a shed cycle becuase they are partially blind when their eyes start to dry out and the heat pits are the only choice of identifying predators/prey.