Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First, Id like to thank dumergirl for replying to my post. Im pretty sure my snakes shed their eye caps. I was really only wanting to know in the event of any more bad sheds.
Now, Id like to add something else. Forgive me, I really hope I dont make anyone mad. Ive been raising various herps for awhile, and Ive been reading on the kingsnake forums for a while although I do mostly lurk. It seems that when ppl post questions they dont get the response you would expect from a forum of this size with this many members. Yet if they post a picture to show off their baby they get many responses. I dont have a prob with the pics, I love to see your beautiful pets. But you really should try to help others with their probs as well. Especially newbies and those of us who like more than one response so that we can weigh our options. And yes, I am fairly new with pythons, so I cant offer much help here. But I will gladly do so if I can. Please dont become offended by this post. Im only stating an opinion, something to consider. Thank you for taking the time to read it.
-----
Jamie

i know, it seems like all the people in here are breeders, and they show off their pics and they get like 5 replies, but when poeple have a problem, they get like 1 or 2 at the max. we need to fix this.

I used to frequent this board daily a few years back and answered as many health-related questions as I could. I know back then, people were frustrated seeing the same posts over and over - bad sheds, not feeding, temps, etc. Many consider these things basic to keeping BPs and don't understand why the questions are posted so often. I really don't care much - I help where I can. But there was a time where everyother day someone would post the same question that had already been answered two posts down, and again 3 posts down from that and so on. Then breeding season takes up more time. Most of my animals have been sold (boas) and all I have left are a couple of corns, BP's and chondros. This gives me a little more time to help where I can and ask questions when I need help.

What comes around, goes around.
-----
Jay A. Martin

Yes, I do understand that it could become frustrating to answer the same questions over and over. When I do have a question, I try to do a search first. This has most often helped so that I didnt have to post. Its a logical first step when you have a question about the care of your animal.
-----
Jamie

Logic, yes. Followed, not very often.

But I was in no way pointing the finger at you or your post. Just replying why some people do not answer.
-----
Jay A. Martin

Oh I know, its alright. I didnt feel pointed at lol. I was just stating that it should be a first step. But then the questions can be posted here. I thought that discussing and sharing information about your pets was the point in a forum like this. But yes, I have noticed that it is dominated by breeders.
-----
Jamie

Glad I could answer your question- I understand your frustration about not getting an answer to your question. I want to say this in a non confrontational way- but there are a lot of people that post in a forum basic questions like the eye cap question, temperature questions, feeding, housing etc. that could easily be answered by consulting a good book (something every pet owner should have) or by simply searching on the web- for example if you go to www.google.com, type in- Ball Python eye caps - and the very first result that comes up explains the scotch tape method of eye cap removal, so the answer could have easily been found in a few seconds without posting and waiting for a reply...

Thanks, and I wont be offended. But actually no one ever answered my question. I didnt ask how to remove it. Id already done the research to learn that but hated to mention it to anyone since some of you had been kind and tried to help. Here is what I asked:

"My balls have just went through their first shed since I got them. The sheds werent very good ones because the snakes were somewhat dehydrated when I purchased them. I soak them regularly, mist their cage, etc. Hopefully the next will be better. What I want to know is how to tell if they shed their eye caps?? Ive read about this and was curious. Can you see the old cover on the eyes just like you can on the body? Ive not noticed a problem and they shed the rest of their head great. I just want to be more informed. Also, does anyone have a pic of a shedding or preshed eye just for comparison? Thanks!!"

Perhaps I wasnt clear enough. Im sorry. What I had asked though is how to tell if an eye didnt shed? Mine are fine as far as I know. I was only asking for educational reasons.
-----
Jamie

Actually, someone did answer. They said to look at the shed. The eye caps should be present. Now, if they aren't, it does not mean the eye caps are retained. Sometimes they do look like the skin that's left on the body, sometimes it's harder to see. Chances are good, however, that if they are missing from the shed, they are retained.
-----
Jay A. Martin

I thought I did answer your question, to tell if the eye caps shed look at the shed skin, you will see them.

If you do get a retained eye cap, do the following:

Put the snake in a damp pillowcase and put the pillowcase back in the snakes cage - to ensure the temp stays around normal. After an hour or so pull the snake out. If the eye cap is still present, gently rub (in one direction) with a damp, soft cloth. It should come off almost immediately. I do not advise the use of tape.
-----
Jay A. Martin

I noticed that people are more interested in color morphs than the actual care of their animals, sadly. I'm nt saying that they dont recieve good care, but morphs are being chosen over perfectly healthy and friendly regular morph BP's.

I used to frequent the LeoGecko forums until morph talk and line breeding took over the husbandry aspect. Disappointing to see many people are just in it for the money.

I understand
My daughter does not want a 'fancy' snake, she wants a pretty ball python to be her pet, and for her to adore (she has LOVED snakes most of her life)
She does not want to breed
She does not understand most of the posts on this website, and gets frustrated trying to find information
I enjoy reading about it all, being a biology major. She just wants to get information that is not covered in her books on Ball Python care
Thanks for saying something

ecb
-----
Elizabeth (ecb)

'Good Judgment Comes From Experience
but Experience Comes From Bad Judgment'