questions for mangle...

hello there all,
As you may or may not know, I adopted a sweet ball python on the 6th, fifteen days ago. She curls up around her cage a lot and has been moving around more. I keep her cage nice and warm, and humidity can be difficult to maintain somedays. A yesterday, I noticed her eyes are cloudy. Is this because of shedding?
Also, how can I keep up moisture in her cage?
And is she hungry?
Thanks

If it's blue she is probably shedding, I'm a new BP owner as well I find that if you get eco earth bricks get it wet and put it in your tank and your humidity will raise you can also use tin foil . And the last question do you know when she ate last? If it's been a week or so I'd say she is hungry

For humidity, can you show/describe the setup you have for her enclosure?

As to feeding, it can vary by age but generally BPs eat every 7-14 days, so decent chance she is hungry if she hasn't eaten since being with you.

I estimate she is an adult, she's 4 feet about. Her eyes are a smoky grey color. I do not know when she was fed last. I tried to feed her on sunday with no luck. I have tin foil on the top with coconut substrate.

I'd try again tomorrow then, try to keep a regular pattern. What's your process for feeding her?

I'd give her eyes like 24ish hours to clear up and if so she is probably shedding. Do you keep the coconut husk damp?

I would bring her to another cage for feeding, about 8 gallons big. I set up a water dripping system to give her moisture and simulate rainfall. So, if the eyes are a smokey grey/white, is she going to shed?
Thanks

What I would do for your substrate is get the bricks of coconut husk and stick it in a bucket of water give it 30 minutes and put it in your tank. Also try and feed her in your cage. That's what I did she ate it in under 15 minutes after 3 weeks of not eating. Her eyes will get smokey then clear and then about 36 hours later she will shed

I use spaghnum Moss in her warm hide to keep up humidity. She loves it. I also use coconut shred bedding and it holds in humidity. If the top is screen, try covering it with foil and a DRY towel.

IS it safe to feed her at this time, before she sheds? Is that a good time?
I have coconut subs. and Moss in as well. I am going to try to use a dripper.
There is tin foil on top as well

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Manglewantsmacaroni

IS it safe to feed her at this time, before she sheds? Is that a good time?
I have coconut subs. and Moss in as well. I am going to try to use a dripper.
There is tin foil on top as well

---

I would say it depends on what you feed her. Frozen/thawed? Prekilled? Live? Just a reminder you never leave a live mouse with your snake unsupervised. Most snakes won't eat around their shed time. So I wouldn't say it's not safe but if she's going to shed soon she probably won't eat.

Ive got a 55gallon glass tank, four Dixie cups of "soaked" sphagnum moss and two water dishes with one under the heat lamp and my humidity is about 50-60%. I easily bump it up to 65-70 with misting during shedding. Oh and tin foil on top with holes for air flow.

If you can, upload a pic of your set up please. It helps a lot to see

you can also make a humid hide for shedding days. Search in the search bar "humid hides".

ah. I feed her frozen thawed with tongs

Many snakes won't eat before a shed, but many will (mine doesn't mind and will eat at any point during her shed cycle). Since you do f/t, you can just offer her food again a week after the last time you offered food.

Gotcha. Yep, shouldn't be unsafe, she just may not eat. You can always offer if you have the $ for another rat or get them in bulk. Gray/cloudy eyes and dull color are indicators of a shed coming soon. Mine won't eat until he sheds, sometimes not until a week after.

Try to keep the humidity a little higher until she sheds. What do you have to measure temps and humidity?

she eats mice. Here is her cage set up:

http://sta.sh/01ufkf3aatb0
http://sta.sh/01km8x7gru9n

I personally would not use a drip system for humidity or cover the entire floor with damp coconut coir. You could run the chance of getting it too wet which could cause other problems. I think a better solution is to have a humid hide box which is filled with the damp coconut coir or sphagnum moss. That way your snake has a choice between dry and humid.

It clogged overnight anyway. I must just dump water on the coconut stuff. I really need to increase moisture. It is otherwise always around 35%

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Manglewantsmacaroni

It clogged overnight anyway. I must just dump water on the coconut stuff. I really need to increase moisture. It is otherwise always around 35%

---

Sorry if this is a repeat question, can't find the answer in your post. What are you using to measure humidity and temps? Do you have a UTH on a thermostat?

left field, but the name mangle is awesome

I am using a digital and analog thermometer on both sides. She has a top heater and an under heater

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Manglewantsmacaroni

I am using a digital and analog thermometer on both sides. She has a top heater and an under heater

---

Do you have a thermoSTAT to control your temps?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stormy

Do you have a thermoSTAT to control your temps?

---

yes. I have one to control the temps.

Thought I'd ask since you didn't mention one.

Our snakes will will eat if they're going into shed sometimes; sometimes they won't. Our big female usually won't until she's done shedding and leaves us a nice little stinky present; then look out because she's on the hunt for a rat.

Our pied has only shed once since we've had him; he refused food until afterwards.

We Just got a black satin black pastel so we'll have to wait and see what he does.

I got her about 16 days ago. I have no idea when she last ate.
I must ask also, should I try to offer her live?
thanks

Do you know or is there any way you can contact the person who had her previously to find out what she was eating before you got her (f/t, live, pre-killed)? Often the food they take best is what they're used to.
There is no reason not to try live if that's what is most convenient for you, however I wouldn't try it just to get the snake eating after only two weeks. Also definitely wouldn't try live till she's shed otherwise there's a good chance you'll end up with a pet mouse for the week.

there is no way to contact her previous owner since she was abandoned.
She didn't take much interest in the prekilled. I have a spare cage, which I can keep a mouse in.
I tried to feed her about a week ago with no luck.
Her eyes are still a bit cloudy.
She hasn't eaten with her new daddy (me) yet.