Pastel Desert Ghost male shedding
Hi, I got my ball python yesterday, the vivarium has been set up with a temp of 85f on the warmer side and 75f on the cooler side. The humidity as of now I am unsure of as I do not have a hygrometer yet. I was given the chart for the BPs feeding and shedding history and it has not shed since the 20th September 2023, it was hatched on the 07/07/23. The enclosure that it was in before I had bought him was very small and did not look humid at all nor did it have any source of heat. Is it normal for it to not shed for months at a time? I read that it was supposed to be between 4-7 weeks.
Thanks
Re: Pastel Desert Ghost male shedding
I appreciate the reply
I haven't fed by BP yet as I was told it was last fed tuesday, which means ill be feeding it the following tuesday/wednesday after it has settled in. On the feeding chart it shows as it being fed once a week since it hatched and it had a 3 week long strike about 2 months ago but it has been eating fine since.
My BP does have two hides but it isn't as interested in the hide on the cooler side as it is on the warmer side. I'm assuming this is because they aren't the exact same hides so it'll favour one more than the other because it feels more secure, I'll buy a 2nd hide of the one that it favours the most and put that in place of the one on the cooler side so they're both exactly the same. I'm assuming they should both be the same anyway?
Re: Pastel Desert Ghost male shedding
Quote:
Originally Posted by
densetoaster
My BP does have two hides but it isn't as interested in the hide on the cooler side as it is on the warmer side. I'm assuming this is because they aren't the exact same hides so it'll favour one more than the other because it feels more secure, I'll buy a 2nd hide of the one that it favours the most and put that in place of the one on the cooler side so they're both exactly the same. I'm assuming they should both be the same anyway?
Yes. The warm and cool side hides should be the same. This is so that the snake will properly thermoregulate. You don't want a hot snake hanging out on the warm side because he likes that hide better. If the hides are the same, it will choose the hide that best fits its temperature needs.
And your bp may be favoring its warm side hide because the cool side is too cool. I'd slowly (degree by degree over hours, even days) raise your temps by about 5F degrees. If you haven't done so, you should review the forum's care guide for ball pythons. It's very helpful for new keepers.