Shedding questions??

[jokerfwb]

I was wondering if balls get more aggressive during sheds? Mine that has seemed go have no problem being handled has over the last couple of days been getting alot more aggressive. As in striking at me when I put my hand in to get it's water bowl. I noticed tonight that it's eyes were cloudy. Which I believe is a sign of shedding. My quetion is this I want to let it soak in the tub to help with the shed but with it striking I don't want to overly stress it out? What should my approach be. Should say I have only had the snake for about five weeks.

[BuckeyeBalls]

No need to soak it until its having a bad shed and its stuck.

My advise? Quit stressing it out.

Its striking for a reason. Because ur bugging it while its trying to shed. How about you loose all your skin are you gonna wanna be bothered?

Once the belly starts tuning pink dont mess with it unless u have to. You can still offer food. Yes they get a bit more defensive not aggressive.

[jokerfwb]

That's kind what I figured. The only thing I wonder about with the feeding is if she is feeling stressed should I just let her be. Or take her out and feed her. I feed her in a separate cage.

[jokerfwb]

And how ling does a shed usually last.

[Homegrownscales]

Keep your humidity up so he has a good shed and let him be until he's done shedding. They are more defensive when they are in shed.

[BuckeyeBalls]

Give it about a week after the cloudy eyes go away.

Not sure why you would feed in a separate enclosure but to each their own i guess if your really stuck to feeding in separate enclosure then just skip the feeding.

[jokerfwb]

I mainly feed her in a separate cage because that's what I have read about. Also so I can have better control over no substrate getting taken in with the food.

[Vypyrz]

Here is thread that should help answer some of the questions:

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

[Quacking-Terror]

Everything I have read and experienced shows that Ball Pythons do not have to be fed in another enclosure. In fact, and others should feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, I believe that sometimes feeding in a separate enclosure can lead to balls thinking it is feeding time any time you remove them from their home, thus making them more likely to think your pinky is a tasty mouse.

[Jeo123]

Actually I think you're the first person I've ever seen argue that a separate enclosure encourages cage aggression.

There are mixed schools of thought on the separate enclosure idea.

Pro-beliefs:

• The new cage is different and the snake associates it with feeding, so the home cage doesn't become a food zone
• The new cage can have a more dinner friendly bedding(if any)
• cleanup afterwards is usually easier(if it's necessary)

Con-beliefs:

• The transfer into/out of the food pen can be stressful and discourage eating
• The lack of familiar hides may make the snake less likely to eat
• Reaching in to a hungry snake cage may trigger a bite.
• The lack of heating makes slow eating an issue(or requires the purchase of more heating devisces)

Not all of the Pro's/Con's have been proven(some probably never will be) but that's the most common/strongest arguments each way. It's up to you ultimately, either way usually works fine in the end.