Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My ball python is now about and year and a few months old, and i have never seen him soak in his water, and rarely sheds in a full clump like he is supposed to. I have started misting him and soaking him before his sheds, but it hasnt been working. Is this normal? and also, unless I move him, he always stays in his hide box. Why is this? Any response would be helpful. Thanks

No it is not normal....

to post 4 different yet the same posts all in a row....

and as for the ball...

no either...it should shed out all in one piece....and humidity is only half your troubles....the food is the real culprit i bet....it needs to eat more...or better foods?.....(unless you have it actually eating extremely too much and it is growing too too fast..)...usually ....too dry and not enough food will do thei...

heat rocks?...no good...heat pad....not great...but can be fixed with humidity box....

have fun

No it is not normal....

to post 4 different yet the same posts all in a row....

and as for the ball...

no either...it should shed out all in one piece....and humidity is only half your troubles....the food is the real culprit i bet....it needs to eat more...or better foods?.....(unless you have it actually eating extremely too much and it is growing too too fast..)...usually ....too dry and not enough food will do thei...

heat rocks?...no good...heat pad....not great...but can be fixed with humidity box....

have fun

First of all, I'd just like to let you know that you really got my attention posting the exact same thing four times in a row! You should do that ever time you have something to say!

Anyhow - Get yourself a humidity gauge. Your snake (if not completely then at least partially) is dehydrated. This means that your humidity is low (it should always be around 60 - 65, and at least 80 when they're shedding), and you need to keep it up. Spray more often, put another water dish in the tank, put plastic wrap over the top to keep moisture in - get rid of any 'heat rocks' you have and get yourself and overhead lamp or UTH (under tank heater). Also, when they're shedding, give them a hide with some damp paper towels in it. Also, you should be feeding your snake every 10 days or so ... I suggest you look up a care sheet on this site for more information about ball pythons and what is 'normal'

Jon

PS- you dont have to post four times to get a question answered

Ball pythons sleep all day and are active at night. He's probably just sleeping in his hide, that's pretty much what ball pythons do most of the time - sleep, and lounge around