Great shed!

[Marla]

Most of y'all will remember that I got a new ball python a month and a half ago (name still pending determination of gender). According to her (I think it's a female but not sure) previous owner, she had never had a complete shed and he'd always had to help her shed. This was no surprise, as she had a screen top and ambient humidity all the time for the 4 years he had her. :roll:

She's just had her first shed for me, and it was perfect! OK, there was a tear in the middle of the belly, but it is in one piece, from nose to tail tip, and I am tickled pink. :lol:

[MrsMacWin]

YEAH!!!! Congrats on the perfect shed!!

[Marla]

Thanks.

[sophie42204]

That's awesome! Yea for you!!
(speaking of shedding, Soph's eyes have been cloudy since last Wednesday and still no shed, should I be worried? She didn't eat last week and I understand why, but I tried last night again anyway and she ate, so at least I don't have to worry about that!)

[Marla]

No, I wouldn't sweat it. This one actually had cloudy eyes for about 8 days before they cleared up and another 4 days or so before she finally threw off her shed. Sometimes they just take their time, but if they shed whole then no worries. If this one wants to shed every 6 weeks and take 2 weeks to do it, far be it from me to tell her to do it differently. :lol:

[sophie42204]

Thanks for the piece of mind.....I feel like a new mother!! I've been keeping the humidity between 65 & 70%, is that about right? What if she doesn't shed in one piece? How bad is that for them? I think this is stressing me out more than it is her.... :shock:

[Marla]

That should be about right, though another 10% wouldn't hurt until she's done shedding. It's not so much that not shedding in one piece is bad for them as it is that it's a sign some aspect of husbandry isn't quite right. The only times retained shed really are a problem for the snake are when it's eye caps (which can stack up and caused reduced vision and other eye problems), or when it encircles the snake and can restrict blood flow (most commonly at the very end of the tail, last 1/2" or even 1/4"). It's almost certainly more stressful for you than it is for her, though.