Shedding question/is this an issue?

[Maggie Louise]

I got my BP on November 30th - he was hatched July 25th. It's been about six and a half weeks since I've had him and I have yet to see any signs of shed. He's an excellent eater and has grown quite a bit in length and girth. His belly turned pink about three weeks ago but faded. His color is a little faded and last night a few of his scales felt a little rough but that's all I've noticed. I mist his tank twice a day and I have a glass panel on the lid. Is there something going on here? Should I soak him? With the rate he's growing I assumed he would've shed by now. Any input? Being too paranoid again? Help please

[PitOnTheProwl]

What is your humidity at in the enclosure?

[redshepherd]

Don't soak him, but you can provide a large water bowl for him to soak on his own, if he wants. If he doesn't, it's also totally normal. Forcefully soaking the snake in water just stresses them out.

You should be using a digital hygrometer in the enclosure to measure humidity, and it should be around 60%, or up to 70% before a shed.

[Maggie Louise]

My hygrometers all read between 53 and 70, the range doesn't differ much outside of that. I just ordered two xiakr hygrometers usually used for humidors because I'm sick of the differences and how unreliable I feel the ones I have typically are. His water dish is big enough for him to soak in and shallow enough that he won't drown but idk, maybe it's not deep enough. It still feels weird to me that he's almost at 7 weeks without a shed even though he's a total fatboy now..

[Maggie Louise]

I've been assuming that he's fine with how well he eats and his typical activity so it's just weird

[BR8080]

Dion at Spyder Robotics recommended this hydrometer to me when I asked about purchasing one of their probes ($80) for my herpstat. He said their results with this particular model were within 1-2% of theirs and a whole lot less money (about $30).

[Maggie Louise]

Dion at Spyder Robotics recommended this hydrometer to me when I asked about purchasing one of their probes ($80) for my herpstat. He said their results with this particular model were within 1-2% of theirs and a whole lot less money (about $30).

Yeah I actually just bought this exact model from a local cigar shop! I wanted 2 but they only had one. Think it works great but I did accidentally directly spray it while misting. Bix finally shed last night! I didn't want to disturb him so I really need to change the substrate, can I handle him?

[cletus]

I'm in the larger water bowl camp. If my humidity isn't where it should be I just add either a larger bowl or an extra smaller bowl. You can also add an extra bowl of very wet coco husk or something like that. That will bump humidity and is resistant to mold. You can also put some damp moss in their hide. I don't do this but lots of others here do with good success. I would only soak if there was a stuck shed issue.

[BR8080]

Yeah I actually just bought this exact model from a local cigar shop! I wanted 2 but they only had one. Think it works great but I did accidentally directly spray it while misting. Bix finally shed last night! I didn't want to disturb him so I really need to change the substrate, can I handle him?

So I had a conversation with Kevin at Xikar and I mentioned I wish there was a wireless unit to monitor all 3 of my enclosures and guess what.....they do!!! So I ordered it the other day. A little more $$ but to check temps from my desk, works for me.

https://www.xikar.com/products/humid...-hygro-system/

[redshepherd]

Just wanted to make sure you're using a working thermostat to regulate your heat source? Because another possibility of a pink belly and "rough scales" is a mild burn. (But of course it's just based on description- can't tell without photos)