Is my bp shedding?

[Jay]

Hello, I'm new to this forum. I need to know if my bp is shedding or is the color just like this? his eyes aren't cloudy so I'm not sure if hes shedding or not Please help. Heres a picture, look at the top of his head where the darker brown is, It's like a hologram right? He has it on most of its darker brown spots. Oh yeah I just got him 3 days ago so I will be asking many questions. Thanks in advance -j

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[Jay]

Another thing, he don't like me touching him, when i touch him he moves away or squirms..Is it because hes not used to me or is he mellow from shedding? How can I make it used to me, im afraid to pick it up, It doesn't even want me touching it. its not going to be happy when i pick it up, And i've never been bitten before, So I'm scared of what damage it can do to me Please help!

-J

[led4urhead]

First off: Welcome to the site! We're glad to have ya around

Now .. on to the questions!
Where did you get him? What is your tank setup like ( temps, humidity, substrate )?
Have you seen his eyes cloudy? If you haven't, more than likely he is not shedding. The sheen on the top of his head is probably just some shiny scales. When he goes into shed mode his eyes will cloud up and his whole body will look dull. A couple of days after his eyes cloud up, they will clear up. A couple of days after that he will shed. I say the phrase "a couple of days" because all bp's are different and it takes some longer to shed than others.

As far as squirming goes, he will be like that for a while. Most bp's take some time before they calm down and tolerate handling. If you just got him a couple of days ago, it is advisable to let him alone for at least a week to get used to his new house before handling him. That way he can get comfortable in his new home before you go taking him out of it . If he bites you, he bites you. It comes with the territory of owning a herp. He will hardly do any damage at all. It feels like a pin prick, and clears up ( most of the time ) within a couple of hours. It'll give you a scare more than hurt you.

[Jay]

I got him at D & J Reptiles in new york. (I think the website is DNJReptiles.com but im not sure its on kingsnake.com somewhere) I dont have a thermometer yet so I dont know the temps and stuff, I need to buy one now I guess. His eyes aren't cloudy at all and the color is still dark on him, so I guess its just shiny scales like you said.

About the biting, i'm most likely going to get bit sometime this week, I want to hold it so bad I hold my cornsnake all the time. But I will leave it alone for a few more days. When it bites me, will it stick on me and I have to pry it off of me or does it bite and leave me alone?

[Cody]

Welcome to the site!

About biting...ball pythons are very docile and shy creatures. I've found that they'll ball up and hide in fear rather than bite at all. Usually the only time you'll be bit is if you're feeding them and they sense rodent on your hands or something. That or if you've just fed them, and you put your hand in the tank when they're still in "feeding mode", they're known to strike too. I'd just recommend you be as patient as possible(I know..it's sooo tough ) and leave him alone in his tank to explore for another 5 days or more, to make sure he's acclimated to his new home. This can be a stressful time on a ball python, so it's best to leave them be, then try feeding them a week later, and if they take it, then a few days later(gotta digest ) you could probably handle him.

Oh, and sorry to hear you haven't gotten a thermometer yet. Might I recommend a trip to Walmart? If you can, try getting the "Acurite digital thermometer/hygrometer". It's found in most Walmarts, and runs you about 15 dollars. And worth every penny. It gives you accurate measures of two temperatures(probe for one side of tank, then place the device itself on the other side of the tank), and measures humidity, which is key to keeping a bp.
Also, what type of bedding is that you're using? Oh, and what are you using to heat the tank? Again, if you're not already using one, may I suggest a human heat pad from Walmart? They can run 10-15 dollars, and work like a charm. All you have to do is put it underneath(not inside) the tank on one side. That'll heat the tank in a gradient fashion, so the snake can choose from a cooler side, or a warmer side if he likes. Under tank heaters are good because it should heat up the tank very nicely, therefore you don't need a light for heat. Since ball pythons are nocturnal, they don't need light at all, and it usually stresses them if left on for long periods of time. That, and they can dry a tank out and suck up humidity, lol. Here's a pic of the heat pad most people on here(including moi) use to heat our bp's enclosure. It's popular, yes, but any heat pad will do, aslong as it doesn't have auto-shut off.
http://novogate.com/forums/1647/user/23319/9707.jpg
Anyway...I've rambled as usual. I just wanted to cover anything I could think of at the time. Any other questions you have, don't hesitate to ask, as you know.

[chong_python]

Welcome to the site.

Its not uncommun for the snakes skin to "dull" a bit or become dark a week or so prior to shed. It is possible at this time the eyes havent clouded over yet.

Or...Do you check your snake every day?...Becuase its known when a snake is sheding right before his shed his eyes turn back to close to normal. It's hard to tell from that pic. But you are the snake owner, So if you think that the skin is Dulling, you could be expecting a shed within the next 8-10 days

Hope that helps

[gen]

PLEASE get a thermometer asap. Ball pythons are not the easiest snakes to keep, but if you do your research, they can be good beginner snakes. It is very important that the temperatures (warm side and cool side) and the humidity in the tank are just right if you want your snake to be healthy and happy.
As someone already said, wait at least a week before you try to hold him. But personally, I would go beyond that. I would wait a week (or maybe even two weeks depending on how long you can stand to wait) and then attempt to feed him. Ball pythons can be picky eaters and if they are under any stress some balls can tend not to eat. If a ball python is stressed out, handling him can make it even worse. So if he eats on the first attempt, give him a few days to digest, and then if you want you can try to handle him. I would start off slow. Handle him once a week for no more than 15 minutes. Then as you become more comfortable with him and vise versa, and if he continues to eat for you, you can gradually start handling him more. If he doesn't eat, leave him alone for a little longer.
Okay, now I've rambled too. I would also like to know what that is you are using for bedding, and how you are heating the tank. How many hides do you have? Make sure you have 2 hide spots for your snake, one on the warm side, and one on the cool side, and of course, a water bowl.
And do your research! Read the caresheets on this website. I'd suggest picking up The Ball Python Manual, you can find it at any pet store. And this website is a great resource, ask lots of questions. Welcome to the site!

[Jay]

Thanks for the help everyone, I came to the conclusion that he is not shedding I want him to grow. His color isnt dull at all it's just shiny scales 8).
About the thermometer.. My dad has one of those digital ones like you said Cody(btw that is my little brothers name ) He uses the thermometer for his dart frogs, maybe I can use it for a little bit until I buy my own. It has the Humidity and stuff, it should be good right? I think its made by GE I'm not sure. Again thanks for all your help guys I like these forums.

[led4urhead]

GE .. right on! ( i work for GE, sorry ) Does it measure two temps? It sounds like it would probably would work till you could get your own. Just make sure to keep the temps on both sides. You wouldnt want to be freezing or cooking you little guy :shock:

[Jay]

I'm sorry its radioshack brand And yes it has inside temp. and outside and the humidity. My tank right now is 86 F and 51% Humidity. Should I mist the tank or is 50% ok?