Uh... is the lack of equilibrium normal?

[LadySmurdis]

Okay, so whenever my ball sheds, it's almost like she's dazed. She can't hold onto ANYTHING, from the edge of my computer (her favorite spot), to staying on my neck, to hanging out on my headboard (her other favorite spot). She just falls off. Is this normal, because it goes away as soon as she is done shedding? Am I worrying over nothing? HELP!

[martin82531]

Is it a spider?


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[Inarikins]

Signature suggests it's a normal. Is it while she's shedding? You should never handle while they're in shed. They're busy growing and replacing their entire body's skin, so it would make sense she's not herself. They usually can't see because of a build-up of fluid between their old eyecaps and the new ones coming in, which would make her disoriented since she can't see. They're also sensitive, I'm surprised she's not hissing or snapping if you're handling her while she's in shed, they're not comfortable at all.

[LLLReptile]

It seems odd that she's completely losing her balance like that. Since she is having issues while shedding, I'd recommend not handling her during that time. Let her stay in her cage so she doesn't fall off the various objects you put her on, and then handle her again once she's done.

-Jen

[LadySmurdis]

No, no, no. I only had to do it twice: once when I was moving things around in her cage (so I wouldn't squish her, I put her on computer, and she almost slid off ), and once when something broke in her cage (Don't ask how, I'm not even sure myself. Put on head board, and same thing happened. Tried neck, and WEEE! Luckily, I was done by then). She's never hissed at me, even though I had to move her when her eyes were completely clouded, and what's even odder is that she's REALLY young. I only really handle her when she'd done shedding. She's weird...

[Inarikins]

When they're in shed, leave them completely alone. Don't move things around in their cage, don't move them. If something breaks and it's sharp, take it out but leave your snake alone. Moving her while she's deep in blue is a good way to have her fall off things because she can't see. I imagine it's like trying to see through a plastic grocery bag. She's sore and unhappy and blind and you're pretty lucky she hasn't tried to bite you yet. The most I do with my snake while they're in shed is lift their hide to make sure they're still in the enclosure then leave them alone. Arranging the cage can wait until your snake can see well enough not to fall.