About the shedding process
So i read the sticky about it and just had a quick question that i didnt find. Do they become abit more active. My snake has suddenly become abit more active and nothing has changed in his tank. Second thing is went to pick him up and he hissed at me which was new, still took him out just to make sure everything was ok and saw his belly was a wee pink so i think he's about to shed. The more active is just the part throwing me off.
Re: About the shedding process
I am not to sure about the more active part because when my bp is in shed he doesn't move at all. The hissing is quite normal though, that is to be expected because your snake is in shed. I don't mess with my snake at all when he is in shed. Your snake could possibly be a bit stressed out, that is the only reason I can think of for the movement. How are your temps and humidity? Make sure you have your humidity at 60% to 70% so your snake will have a complete shed.
Re: About the shedding process
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ballpythonluvr
I am not to sure about the more active part because when my bp is in shed he doesn't move at all. The hissing is quite normal though, that is to be expected because your snake is in shed. I don't mess with my snake at all when he is in shed. Your snake could possibly be a bit stressed out, that is the only reason I can think of for the movement. How are your temps and humidity? Make sure you have your humidity at 60% to 70% so your snake will have a complete shed.
I agree.
Mine stays put till its time to rub off the shed. Check your numbers and keep your humidity up, that is very important. I will mist mine with a spray bottle a few times a day during shed. Another good way to keep the humidity up is by adding damp moss in its hides. Not wet, just damp. Or you can make a shed box.
It does have at least two hides? One warm side, one cool side.
Re: About the shedding process
Quote:
Originally Posted by
KMG
What do you mean wet side?
x2^ this lol
Re: About the shedding process
i wouldn't listen to any advice pet shops give you most of them don't care and just want to make money, unlike local breeders, or specific reptile shops with people who like reptiles.
Re: About the shedding process
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BallJohnny
Sadly i didnt find this site before i got my bp so i have a 75 gallon tank for him. Once i have some extra money plan to get a nice little rack system and what not.
I'm just quoting this as a reminder for people to be reasonable before they jump down your throat about husbandry.
How big is the snake? You could probably get a 20g off craigslist for 20 bucks and will have a much easier time getting temps and humidity proper. More directly, you could probably sell a 75g tank for enough money to buy a PVC cage that's meant for snakes. There's my throat jump.
For humidity for now, I would say you should switch to either straight eco earth or some kind of humidity holding wood substrate like aspen. I would not 'wet' the substrate, but rather try to mist gently once a day if you find the humidity to be outside of a 40 - 60% range. Don't ever let the ground of the enclosure be wet to the touch.
When ball pythons become really active, they're usually stressed. The combination stress of the shed and environment being off has probably lead to the behavior. Good luck.
Re: About the shedding process
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BallJohnny
Ah thats good to hear and trust me the changing it out was starting to suck lol, cleaning a 75 gallon tank is tricky without help. Also one thing i should mention i have an over the top heat lamp. Yes i know should do the under the tank heat method but waiting to switch over rack system.
Whatever works, works! I keep my house under 70° so I actually have a UTH, 75w ceramic heater for the hot spot and a day/nite double lamp with 60w bulbs to keep the rest of my 40 gallon at the right temp. I do use light stands so the fixtures are not sitting on the screen.
Re: About the shedding process
75 gallon is very large for a ball python. it's not the width or length, but the height that's more of the problem. he's eating for you that's good. I would just junk it up. lots of plants so the height isn't as much of an issue. The over head heater is bad as this is a humidity killer. maybe place a large water bowl on the side that the light is on. since you have the room maybe more than one water bowl to help raise the humidity, plus spraying with water. you don't need a rack system unless you want more than one snake. I don't recommend a 75 gallon tank. but you could make it work if junk up, and you get stable temps and humidity.
