Shedding Question

Hello, I am new here.

We just got our first ball python a week and a half ago (well second but thats another story). We are new to this. He ate Friday very willingly. Later that night his eyes started to look blue. I was so glad when I found this site last night - it eased a lot of concerns. However, he has just been sitting still in his cage. And he was where the under tank heater pad is. I have since shut it off after reading the information here.

His eyes have since cleared up and he doesn't look dull anymore but he is still sitting there. I have just duct taped and tin foiled the top to help raise the humidity. I know it can take a few days for him shed but we are starting to worry. At what point should we try and move him a little?

Thank you.

he's fine. just leave him be. after his eyes go blue he will clear up for a couple days then shed.

At what point should I get worried? I know it can take up to 14 days for them to complete a shed. I guess what worries me is that he is just sitting there.

Thank you for the reassurance!!!

Hi and welcome to BPNet! When you say he is just sitting there do you mean out in the open or in one of his hides. Sorry I'm a bit confused why you turned off his UTH unless it wasn't controlled by anything or you felt it was overheating or something? What's his temps and humidity like?

Typically 48 hours, give or take, after the eyes clear up you'll see a shed. You really don't need to worry, it'll happen all on it's own. ;) If you have a mister I'd mist the enclosure a bit, if you're worried about low humidity.

As for turning off the heating pad, no heat for bp is not good. You need to maintain the temps consistantly or you will end up with a respiratory infection. Run and grab a lamp dimmer, and a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer, if you're concerned about thermal burns.

He is not in one of his hides. He is sitting in the corner over where the UTH is and it isn't controlled by anything - just plugged in and it is a glass tank with a green mat that is meant for reptiles on the bottom. He has been there pretty much since Saturday.

The temp in the middle - not in the warm area is 84. I need to get something to measure the temperature in the warm area and something to measure humidity tomorrow. I think the humidity may have been a little low but we are working on fixing that. He has a bowl of water that he can go into.

I got him from a pet store and they recommended the UTH and didn't say anything about something to control it. Not nice not nice.

Thank you.

I do have heat lamps that help maintain the temperature. I got panicked today at work reading about how they can cook on the UTH.

What should the temperature by the UTH be and how is the best way to measure it?

Thank you!!!

I think most people keep the warm (UTH) side between 90-94F.
You can get a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer/hygrometer at Walmart for about $11. It has a probe that you can use to measure the insides of the hides, or anywhere in the enclosure.

You do need something to control the temps of the UTH, though.

Thank you all sooooo much for the help and advice. He is shedding right now!! How amazing. I am so relieved.

my snake is on his first shed too. Its been almost a week, and he still has some old skin left. Is it ok to peel some of it off? he has a wooden log with rough edges ( purchased from store), and a rubber branch.