Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I purchased my python about 7 months ago as a baby and I have fed it on a regular basis usually 1 mouse per week and it has also been shedding normally. This last shed though was in pieces and I soaked it in warm water in order to take what was left of the shedding on its body. I pulled off the eye caps and the shedding off its head, but I noticed some of the coloration on the new skin seemed to come off with the shed but no damage was done to the new skin at all I just noticed some color peeled off with the shed so I stopped pulling and let my python keep shedding on its own. I have a ceramic tree decoration inside its tank and it managed to get inside the hollow underpart of the decoration and when I try to get it out it hisses at me and it refuses to come out. Is this a reaction because maybe I hurt it while I was peeling the shed? While I was handling it to peel the shed off it didnt react that way, just as the tame puppy I know it to be. It just refuses to come out from inside the decoration and whenever I try and make an effort to get it out it hisses at me and I know that it wants me to leave it alone. What should I do?

There is nothing wrong with your ball. Your humidity level was probably a little low this time, thats why the shed is comming off in pieces. And as for the color comming off, you can always see dark pigment in the shed, thats natural(exept for ghosts, they shed clear). It's probably a little stressed from you removing the unshed pieces, thats why it is hissing. Remember ball pythons are nocturnal, I would be crabby if someone woke me up and started picking stuff off me. Its good you got the head cleaned off, just mist down it's cage for the next day or two, and your python should get the rest off by itself. So no need to panic. I hope this helps. Good Luck!

Jay Cassidy
cavemanreptiles.com