Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Zeus, my new ball python, is having problems shedding his skin. Its coming off in pieces and not all at once like it should. Should I mist him down once a day/two days?
Second question -
the store I got him from (unfortunately) told me he has been eating live mice. I have a rat snake I have been feeding frozen pinkies, but Zeus is larger than Kaiser. Should I keep Zeus on live mice or try to wing him of them and try to toss in a frozen adult mouse?

Any information would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

See if you can get it on live weaned rats then off to F/T. It's pretty easy, I just converted one of this year's CH to weaned rats and she (at 341g) took one (30G) then three days later took two (75g) then three later took anouther two. She's up nearing the 500gram mark after defication and with marked size increase. Rats are good!!!
Get a hydrometer. It will tell you (moderately accurately) what the humitity is. Aim for around 60%. Hope this helps.

Dave

first off, congrats on your BP....post a pic if you can.
second, I always have luck tease feeding my BPs (or any prob feeders) with frozen thawed mice that are dipped in warm water. I use tongs and make sure that the BP is in its hide box to feel safe enough to 'ambush' its food, otherwise it might not strike out in the open without feeling like its actually ambushing the mouse...sounds crazy but its always worked for me.

I have rarely had my BPs shed cleanly, its usually messy but i do mist down the cage so that the substrate (or paper towels)is moist to the touch. Be careful & make sure that its not like that for too long though...only a day or two max. also partially cover the screen top of the tank with a paper towel....it might hold in some extra humidity during the shedding process. GOOD LUCK