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My ball isn't shedding

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  • 06-23-2013, 08:44 PM
    AlexiTLO
    My ball isn't shedding
    I'm posting this in husbandry because.... It's probably a husbandry related issue.
    He's my first ball python. I got him last friday. He was deep in shed, blue eyes. Surprisingly, he ate a live mouse saturday. Pooped Monday. Cleared up early this week. Still hasn't really shed, the end of his tail looks like it shed a little bit but you can really tell hes so close to shedding. I was under the impression that once they clear up its usually a day or two until they finish the cycle. Today he ate 1 live mouse. The humidity has been on the higher side, I've kept it mid-upper 60s because of the shed (digital reading). I just cleaned out his paper towels and his water bowl. I'm using a tub for him, with holes drilled into it. I've got a UTH which is currently measuring 84.2* (digital reading).
    Am I being paranoid or is there something I'm doing wrong? He is my first ball python but I do have lizard experience if that helps.. Here are some pics, in order they are: the day I got him 6-14-13, 6-17-13, and today. I am more than happy to post pics of the enclosure if need be. The last picture is in his feeding tub, the screen is on there so I can keep an eye on him without leaving the top completely off. His enclosure is solid except for the air/vent holes.
    http://i.imgur.com/9730rnKh.jpg
    http://i43.tinypic.com/15aiw7.jpg
    http://i44.tinypic.com/34rt72f.jpg
  • 06-23-2013, 08:52 PM
    Matthew Malone
    I would just keep feeding him and leave him be. Snakes pretty much just do whatever they want lol. :snake: Some people soak their snakes but i've never had to with mine. What is the humidity at?
  • 06-23-2013, 08:59 PM
    AlexiTLO
    Right now its at 64. I thought about adding more holes or changing his dish to bring it down a tad but I've seen that some keepers like to have higher humidity during sheds to help the process. Nothing seems damp/wet inside the enclosure though.
  • 06-23-2013, 09:07 PM
    Matthew Malone
    I wouldn't worry than, mine is about that normally. Keep us posted.
  • 06-23-2013, 09:13 PM
    alykoz
    My ball isn't shedding
    I heard that after they've done most of their shedding you can soak them in a small water bowl with warm water and it comes off by the next day.
  • 06-23-2013, 09:43 PM
    BLM94
    Re: My ball isn't shedding
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Matthew Malone View Post
    I would just keep feeding him and leave him be. Snakes pretty much just do whatever they want lol. :snake: Some people soak their snakes but i've never had to with mine. What is the humidity at?

    Doing this pre-shed can actually be detrimental to the process, as it strips the skin of its natural oils.

    Just let him do his thing, make sure there's something for him to rub his nose against when he is ready though.
  • 06-23-2013, 10:48 PM
    AlexiTLO
    I've got the little chunk of wood in the second picture to help with that. Thanks for the replies. Is it normal for it to take a while or could stress be a factor as well? Today was his second meal with me, so he'll have a couple more hands off days before I start to take him out here and there.
  • 06-24-2013, 03:17 AM
    jasonmcgilvrey83
    Mine took nine days after eyes cleared up and my other shed two days after eye clear up. He will shed when ready :-)
  • 06-24-2013, 07:53 AM
    Annarose15
    My bet is you see a shed this morning or tomorrow. :) Everything sounds normal to me.
  • 06-24-2013, 07:57 AM
    jhotch
    My ball isn't shedding
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by annarose15 View Post
    my bet is you see a shed this morning or tomorrow. :) everything sounds normal to me.

    x2
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