Shedding?

[onthefritz]

I have had my BP for about a month now. He's still a baby and is eating very well. All seems well but with him being my first snake I'm a little apprehensive about him shedding. What are some earlier signs of shedding? He eyes aren't clouded over but over the last couple of days his belly has turned pinkish and I have noticed that the scales on his bottom side seem to be looser in places. By loose I mean that you can feel the edges of a few when he moves across your hand just right. He's also started rubbing on me when I hold him.

Are these signs of shedding?

[ashleymarie]

Yes pinkbelly is a good indicator. My boy BP never gets cloudy eyes before shedding. And the rubbing could be because he's trying to speed up the process lol. S'all good!

[onthefritz]

Yes pinkbelly is a good indicator. My boy BP never gets cloudy eyes before shedding. And the rubbing could be because he's trying to speed up the process lol. S'all good!

Thanks for the response!

[celixo]

Pink bellies are the first sign of a snake going into shed, then their eyes fog over. Babies who haven't shed yet can have some trouble. I keep the humidity between 60%-70% normally 65%-68% during this period. Their eyes will clear up once they're closer to shedding & I give them a soak in some warm water. Helps to get a full one piece shed. that is important.
Since this is your first snake. any questions or behaviors you are unsure of be sure to ask!

[albinos_rule]

My albino never did get the pink belly, and his eyes never really got cloudy, just kinda dull looking...

[CORBIN911]

Dont soak them please.. There is no point. They are not anacondas they do not need to be submerged! It will only make errors. Once you notice pink belly/dull look, Just mist him Once in the morning, Once at night, (Even once a day is ok i just check twice so i spray em) Do this until shed and boom 1 piece!

[200xth]

I have had my BP for about a month now. He's still a baby and is eating very well. All seems well but with him being my first snake I'm a little apprehensive about him shedding. What are some earlier signs of shedding? He eyes aren't clouded over but over the last couple of days his belly has turned pinkish and I have noticed that the scales on his bottom side seem to be looser in places. By loose I mean that you can feel the edges of a few when he moves across your hand just right. He's also started rubbing on me when I hold him.

Are these signs of shedding?

Excellent thread on the entire shed process with pics:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...edding-Process

[onthefritz]

Thanks for the responses! His eyes were clouded over yesterday morning when I work up and now he's a bit crabby and wants to stay in his little cave. His humidity has been at 68%-70%. I have not soaked him myself but he does have a dish to soak in his tank. I kinda figured that if he needs to soak, he will? I want to give him a chance to shed on his own before I start throwing him into a dish of water myself or picking at him.

This isn't his first shed ever but it is his first since I have had him. It's my first experience with a shed period haha.

One more question, I have read that most will not eat while they are shedding, my guy LOVES to eat and I don't think he would refuse it if I offered it to him. Should I wait to offer him food until he's finished shedding?

Thanks again!

[celixo]

You're going to get 100 different answers to this question. lol
Can you, yes if he will eat. Should you is the better question. I normally wait until after my snakes shed. If you feel you don't want to wait, you should feed smaller meals. This way your snake doesn't spend too much energy having to digest while in shed.