BP First Shed

I recently purchased a young Spider Ball (hatched August 12th). I know this is not advisable, but I feel I can handle the task, so I talked the breeder into letting me take her home before her first shed, meal, etc.

I currently have her in a fairly small enclosure and placed a black hide box inside of it. She spends about 90% of her time in the hidebox, but has come out twice to drink. She does not get handled at all...I only lift the box slightly to check on her about once a day (this is done under dim lighting as i dont want to stress her with lights).

Now for the point of the thread. As of monday the 17th I noticed her belly turned pink and her eyes clouded over (pre-shed I am assuming). The breeder told me that once she does this I should add some damp paper towels to raise the humidity and assist in her shedding successfuly (I have done so). How long (roughly) should it take her to finish her shed from the time her eyes clouded over? Is there any additional advice you all can offer me?

Also...I was told to offer her a food item about a week after her first shed. Is this correct?

Thanks in advance,
-Jordan

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Originally Posted by demjor19

I recently purchased a young Spider Ball (hatched August 12th). I know this is not advisable, but I feel I can handle the task, so I talked the breeder into letting me take her home before her first shed, meal, etc.

I currently have her in a fairly small enclosure and placed a black hide box inside of it. She spends about 90% of her time in the hidebox, but has come out twice to drink. She does not get handled at all...I only lift the box slightly to check on her about once a day (this is done under dim lighting as i dont want to stress her with lights).

Now for the point of the thread. As of monday the 17th I noticed her belly turned pink and her eyes clouded over (pre-shed I am assuming). The breeder told me that once she does this I should add some damp paper towels to raise the humidity and assist in her shedding successfuly (I have done so). How long (roughly) should it take her to finish her shed from the time her eyes clouded over? Is there any additional advice you all can offer me?

Also...I was told to offer her a food item about a week after her first shed. Is this correct?

Thanks in advance,
-Jordan

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Sounds like your doing everything right!

it should take maybe a week after her eyes cloud. thats usualy what my girl does.

and yes feed 5-7 days after shed, then feed an appropriate sized meal every 5 days until she gets 750-800 grams, then 7 days..ect...

Here is a quick pic of her from the first day I picked her up on August 16th.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...aJ0/Spider.jpg

If you don't know the basics of ball python care, particularly hatchlings, such as shed cycles or feeding schedules....why were you so insistent that this snake go home with you prior to its first shed and meal?

Honestly, giving the snakes a couple weeks to shed and eat in the care of an experienced breeder (maybe thats an assumption) is the best alternative. Why put it in the face of unnecessary risk?

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Originally Posted by xscorpio

If you don't know the basics of ball python care, particularly hatchlings, such as shed cycles or feeding schedules....why were you so insistent that this snake go home with you prior to its first shed and meal?

Honestly, giving the snakes a couple weeks to shed and eat in the care of an experienced breeder (maybe thats an assumption) is the best alternative. Why put it in the face of unnecessary risk?

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And this is why I wasnt even going to join...thanks!

I have been keeping herps for over 15 years. Although this is my first venture into BP's. I just wanted to make sure all the info I have recieved thus far is correct, but I guess that's too much to ask!?

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Originally Posted by bamf64

Sounds like your doing everything right!

it should take maybe a week after her eyes cloud. thats usualy what my girl does.

and yes feed 5-7 days after shed, then feed an appropriate sized meal every 5 days until she gets 750-800 grams, then 7 days..ect...

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Thank you for actually responding. It's nice to see some helpful people around!

Babies can be tricky, but you're doing fine. My extreme low-white Pied Zippy can home with me before her 1st shed & she's done great... in fact she produced for me this season.

I wait 5 days after shed & offer the first meal- a rat fuzzy or small pup works great as you can leave them in overnight & they can't harm your snake.

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Originally Posted by NorthernRegius.com

Babies can be tricky, but you're doing fine. My extreme low-white Pied Zippy can home with me before her 1st shed & she's done great... in fact she produced for me this season.

I wait 5 days after shed & offer the first meal- a rat fuzzy or small pup works great as you can leave them in overnight & they can't harm your snake.

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Thanks for the advice! I spent almost 2 hours talking to the breeder and he really seemed to know what he was talking about (all advice seems to be checking out). I also picked up a 2 month old male Pastel Heterozygous Hypo/Ghost from the same breeder. He's doing great...already fed and seems to be settling in nicely.

Thanks again!
-Jordan

Good to hear & all the best with the snake.

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Originally Posted by demjor19

Thank you for actually responding. It's nice to see some helpful people around!

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Your welcome :)