Snake shedding?

this is my first snake so im not sure if the snake is shedding is he?
shall i not feed him while shedding?

i dont know if hes trying to shed because he is always in his hide

http://i45.tinypic.com/et5fsh.jpg

He is in the blue phase. This is the beginning of the shedding cycle. Over the next week he will actually start to look normal again then he will shed. Make sure that cage humidity is at least 60% (mist a few times a day) and everything should work out.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

He is in the blue phase. This is the beginning of the shedding cycle. Over the next week he will actually start to look normal again then he will shed. Make sure that cage humidity is at least 60% (mist a few times a day) and everything should work out.

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Thank you im going to get my hygrometer today so ill be able to mange the humidty :)

As the other poster said - yup, he's definitely in shed! To answer your feeding question, some snakes eat while in shed but some don't... typically my BPs refuse food during this time, while my colubrids & some of the Australian pythons eat anyway. So you can always offer a meal, and if they refuse you'll know not to bother next time.

P.S. What kind of hygrometer are you planning to get? I think most of us here recommend a digital probed hygro/thermometer, particularly one like this: http://www.weatherconnection.com/mfg...29964&mfgno=21 (Wal-Mart & Home Depot usually sell them).

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Originally Posted by Lolo76

As the other poster said - yup, he's definitely in shed! To answer your other question, some snakes eat while in shed but some don't... typically my BPs refuse food during this time, while my colubrids & some of the Australian pythons eat anyway. So you can always offer a meal, and if they refuse you'll know not to bother next time.

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That would be my assessment as well. My carpet python will eat anytime food is dangled in front of him... And my desert kingsnake is looking to be the same way!

Ball Pythons on the other hand are very hit or miss. But as you said doesn't hurt to offer.

Alright thanks for your replies ill try and offer him his first feed with me ive had his small mice defrosting over night so after if set up the hygro meter ill offer him some food.. would you advise to leave him in, in his tank and feed or take him out?

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

That would be my assessment as well. My carpet python will eat anytime food is dangled in front of him...

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Haha, mine too! And my two BIGGEST piggos in the collection, the Western Hognose and the Granite Corn, will eat even when fully opaque... they'll bump around the cage like a blind person, striking at the air until they find the mouse. It's too amusing not to indulge them, LOL. :D

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Ball Pythons on the other hand are very hit or miss. But as you said doesn't hurt to offer.

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Indeed... BPs are notoriously picky, so it's no surprise they often refuse during shed. If they refuse, no biggie, since they can go months & months without food.

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Originally Posted by SRMD94

Alright thanks for your replies ill try and offer him his first feed with me ive had his small mice defrosting over night so after if set up the hygro meter ill offer him some food.. would you advise to leave him in, in his tank and feed or take him out?

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I would leave him in his cage. It increases the chances of him eating.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I would leave him in his cage. It increases the chances of him eating.

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ok thanks alot

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I would leave him in his cage. It increases the chances of him eating.

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Agreed. As we said, BPs can be hit & miss with the feedings... and with their shy temperaments, removing them from their environment can be stressful (stress = food refusal). If you're worried about cage aggression resulting, don't be - that's mostly a myth, especially when we're talking about BPs.

Btw, he's a cute little fella. :)

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Originally Posted by Lolo76

Btw, he's a cute little fella. :)

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haha thanks think hes only 6-8 weeks old :P
only had him for a bout 4 days was quite shocked to find out he was shedding

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Originally Posted by SRMD94

haha thanks think hes only 6-8 weeks old :P
only had him for a bout 4 days was quite shocked to find out he was shedding

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Awwww, gotta love the babies! :)

They shed quite rapidly at that age, usually once every 4-6 weeks... after they grow up, it spreads out to more like 3-4 months between sheds.

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Originally Posted by Lolo76

Awwww, gotta love the babies! :)

They shed quite rapidly at that age, usually once every 4-6 weeks... after they grow up, it spreads out to more like 3-4 months between sheds.

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just tried to feed him he didnt have it now hes only putting his hed back into his hide not his body lol is he going to be temporary blind while shedding

I am just going to point out one point there is a slight risk involved in feeding while in late shed. ( blue eyes in mid way through a shed not a beginning the early stages are very hard to see however) The skin to be shed is not as elastic as regular skin and if prey slightly large the shed cannot make it over the digesting prey item. Not common but it has happened it often causes a great deal of stress and in many cases needs intervention.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ling&p=1614348