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  1. #1
    Registered User Shygirl_BP's Avatar
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    No shed... please help

    So I'm a new at having a bp. I currently have a piebald ball python, she's very young and I've had her since mid March this year and she hasn't shed at all. She's eating fine and growing beautifully. I've soaked her. And nothing.... is this normal for juvenile BPs?

  2. #2
    Bogertophis's Avatar
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    If your snake isn't in shed, it's not good to soak them, so the first thing you need to learn is how to recognize a shed cycle. Snakes begin to look cloudy (some call it "blue" or milky) over their whole body, including their eyes. That continues for some days, then gradually "improves" where they start to appear as if they've shed, only you can't find the skin anywhere.

    That's because their body secretes moisture between the old & new skin, making it easier for them to shed- we call that phase "going clear", because the moisture enables you to see their usual colors again. It's only AFTER they go clear (& it can take a few days- it varies a lot) that they shed their skin. It can be strung around in the cage like a holiday garland, or balled up tightly in their hide, even buried- so sometimes you have to search for it.

    When you know a snake is a "in shed" cycle, you want to make sure you keep up their humidity (instead of 55-60%, you want to aim for 70-75%). Maybe offer a "humid hide" &/or mist their enclosure. Actually soaking a snake is stressful for them, & only IF your snake was dehydrated & unable to shed, THAT'S the ONLY time I'd suggest a shallow (-not over their body height, so they can always touch bottom without swimming) & constantly-supervised soak in lukewarm water to assist their shed.

    *****Snakes only shed when they grow (out-grow their old skin) so my first question is what & how often are you FEEDING this snake. If they're not eating enough, they don't grow, or shed.

    Might help us help you if you can post pics of your snake. This is a how-to: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-Post-Pictures

    BTW-
    Last edited by Bogertophis; 06-09-2022 at 05:57 PM.
    Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength.
    Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

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  4. #3
    BPnet Royalty Zincubus's Avatar
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    Re: No shed... please help

    One clue that your snake is in shed is that they disappear for days ...


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk




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  6. #4
    BPnet Veteran plateOfFlan's Avatar
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    Re: No shed... please help

    Also if you're googling normal shed times don't be nervous, for some reason every search results says 4-6 weeks, 4-6 weeks, 4-6 weeks ... Mine take more like 8-10, I don't know where the other number comes from but if you're out of that bounds and the snake is eating and growing fine it's probably not a big deal. I think one site just said 4-6 weeks and everyone copy-pasted or something.

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  8. #5
    Registered User DatBoiAJ_'s Avatar
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    Also some bp's bellies turn salmon colored, and they can look dehydrated (kinda crinkly when they move) from the extra skin. And some don't get cloudy eyes, like my banana. I've never seen his eyes turn cloudy, only his belly turning pink. His skin doesn't even get colored differently. Every one is different tbh. My girl didn't shed for about 5 months when she went on strike so growing is probably it.
    Last edited by Bogertophis; 06-10-2022 at 09:27 AM. Reason: fixed typos for clarity

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