Baby Ball python help, Grey belly and loose skin!

[alysha]

I just purchased a baby ball python about a week ago. I noticed his belly was very pink/red colored when i brought him home. He ate two days after I brought him home.

I tried feeding him again last night, 6 days since his last feed, but he wouldnt even smell the mouse, he was very scared of it. When I was holding him and examining him I noticed that the scales on his belly have now turned a dark greyish ash looking color. I also noticed that he has very loose skin running along the length of his body around his tail and neck, it looks like its been pinched.

The rest of him looks fine, his body color has not faded and his eyes are still dark so i dont think hes is going into shed. I have been trying to keep his humidity in the 60-70 range and his temps are 85-95 on his hide side and in the low 80s on his cool side. I also tried soaking him in some warm water last night but he didnt seem interested in sitting in it.

Any ideas on what could be wrong with my snake, with the grey belly and pinched skin folds?

[jbean7916]

Sounds like he's about to shed to me. They usually go pink bellied, then it clears up then they shed. Pics might help confirm this though.

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[alysha]

I will try to get a pic uploaded later today. If it is shed, how long does it usually take to notice the eyes changing color?

[SRMD]

well his eyes could of passed the blue stage, their eyes go blue then clear up then they shed.
if it is in shed, bump the humidity up to 70-75% try not to handle him to much he'll become aggressive maybe, when they go in shed there eyes become cloudy its difficult for them to see

[alysha]

well his eyes could of passed the blue stage, their eyes go blue then clear up then they shed.
if it is in shed, bump the humidity up to 70-75% try not to handle him to much he'll become aggressive maybe, when they go in shed there eyes become cloudy its difficult for them to see

Maybe that is it, he did seem like he was having trouble seeing last night. I would hold the mouse in front of him and he would sometimes bump into it then get really scared.

[angllady2]

I'm going out on a limb here, and saying he's within a day or so of shedding. Keep his enclosure humid, but don't soak him. Soaking when they are about to shed will wreck the shed, and it will come off in bits and pieces instead of whole. Give him peace and quiet for a few days, and I'm willing to bet you'll find a shed in there before you know it.

Gale

[SRMD]

Keep his enclosure humid, but don't soak him. Soaking when they are about to shed will wreck the shed, and it will come off in bits and pieces instead of whole.

i x2 this, defo do not soak him at all within his shed process.

[alysha]

Thanks for the help guys, this is helping me feel better about it not being a health issue. One more question, how long after he sheds should I wait to try and feed him again?

[SRMD]

you could feed him almost straight after him shedding i believe or maybe wait a day or two, maybe if you post a few pictures of your body we can almost defiantly tell you if hes in shed, but i am sure he is fine.

My ball has just gone in shed his skin becomes really dull, and he always gets this part of skin over his eye it looks like a retained eye cap but he only gets it when he sheds, he is about 2 days into shed and i just fed him about half hour ago

[rabernet]

Thanks for the help guys, this is helping me feel better about it not being a health issue. One more question, how long after he sheds should I wait to try and feed him again?

Everyone gets offered food on the same day, regardless of where they are in the shed cycle for me.

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