please help

[chkm8]

I havn't had my ball python long, and he hasn't shed yet. A few weeks ago his eyes were grayed over, I guess you could say maybe even a hint of blue. So I figured he must be about to shed. Well he still hasn't yet and now his head is ashy (best way to discribe it...he has white lines over the cracks of his head....like when a persons skin gets ashy). and only one eye seems to be ashy also. The temps are good....and I'm keeping the humidity slightly above 60% incase he is shedding. I am starting to get nervous about him having parasites....I read some things online but I don't feel like I have a good idea of what they look like, I don't know if that is what this is...and I could be over reacting...but man I would feel bad if he has them, and would want to get him help fast. Can snake parasites be harmful to people? I have four young kids....one a newborn. He is jumpy (I imagine cause of his eye being ashy)....and seems to be less active lately. I looked for pics of snakes with parasties...but didn't seem to find any. He wouldn't eat a F/T fuzzie yesturday. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Shelby]

Parasites wouldn't make him look 'ashy'. Is it possible to post a picture of the snake? External parasites like mites are tiny red or black dots that you'd see moving around the eyes, under the chin, and around the vent especially.

It may have a stuck shed. Is his skin kind of wrinkly and stiff? You might want to soak your snake in warmish water for an hour or so (not so deep that he has to swim) this will loosen shed skin if that's what he has. Normally they shed within a week of their eyes going blue.

[chkm8]

I'm not sure if I can get a pic or not.....I can see if my brother in law will let me use his camera. Yes his skin does look wrinkly and stiff. I would say it's been 3 weeks since his eyes were blue. He dosn't seem to like me near him right now....should I force him in some water anyways? Maybe that is a dumb question. I guess if it is what is needed...then he will just have to be mad at me. Thanks for the reply.

[Shelby]

Since his skin is stiff.. it's definitely stuck shed. He's not feeling very happy right now for a good reason. Just get a nice container with a lid and put him in there for awhile with the water to loosen the skin. When you take him out you can get a wet towel that he can crawl through to try to get the skin to come off. If it's still tight on his live skin, let him soak some more.

[chkm8]

ok thanks alot!! man that is a load off my mind. I'll do that and get back to you guys in a day or so to let you know his progress. Thanks!!!

[Shelby]

No problem.. hope he doesn't get too crabby with you.

[frankykeno]

Just make sure the container water depth is only just up his sides so in no way does he have to swim, then pop him in and snap down the lid (he won't enjoy it but being a mom you know sometimes you do stuff for your kids they don't like but "it's for their own good" thing lol), pop the whole container in on the warm side of his enclosure and leave him for an hour. Then let him slither through a roughish facecloth. You may have to repeat it again the next day or so if it doesn't all come off. Check carefully that both eyecaps and the tail tip is clear as they are the more common areas for stuck shed to stay on.

We've had a few rescues that were fully stuck and it's not always pleasant to get it all off but it's for the snake's own good. At least with their small brains your snake isn't going to really remember the whole thing so best to just get it over with I think.