Hello, I am the owner of a young ball python whose been having trouble shedding. He seems healthy besides that and usually rubs off the skin after I bathe him but I'd really rather he be able to shed it naturally.

I currently have him on aspen substrate and a heat mat inside the wooden vivarium. I'd rather avoid under-the-tank heaters since I've heard that they aren't effective with wooden vivariums and I've heard that eco earth is a more humid substrate but it can grow mold if paired with a heat lamp and apparently it can't be in direct contact with a heat mat for some reason.

Does anyone have any good advice?