Synchronized Shedding

[Lady mkrj58]

I Have some questions on Shedding, , I read a really good thread on shedding I pretty much understand on March 20 both my Balls had cloudy eyes and were in there Hidding Caves I check them twice a day as they won't come out today I removed them one at a time and my Pastel, s eyes appear to have cleared up the Normal still has the Blue eyes I guess he's a day or so behind the pastel. My concern is the Pastel has had issues with shedding after I purchased her From Petco I had to really work with Raffki, I was also told she had not eaten since her arriving and was very very skinny, I mean skin and Bones I purchased her and went Straight to Vets office she was dehydrated way to Skinny the Doctor did some tests and sent me home. I Made sure she was at 50% humidity and tried getting her/ him to eat frozen thawed mice for two weeks no eating at that point I offered her/him a Live mouse in the feeding Box it took 5 minutes and success the mouse disappeared I was so excited as the next option was Having the Vet Force Feed. In the last two months Raffki eats like clockwork every week, I still continue to really monitor the Humidity very closely and he/she has really put on weight and is way happier. Raffki does not even look like the same snake. Here are some Pictures of both my babies from the Start of the Blue eyes on March 20th any input from Veteran, s will be much appreciated as 3 months ago I became a new Ball Python Mom. I have had a corn snake for 7 years and His care was a little different than the Ball's he never missed a meal lol and has always been very healthy You will see I have a heat pad in my lap on low just for the snakes comfort while they are out with me, PLEASE make a mental note never do this unsupervised and never turn it above low if its to hot on your skin its to hot for your snake

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[Lady mkrj58]

I really love these snakes they are both so sweet .

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[Lady mkrj58]

Who Am I kidding I love all animals lol I breed highly endangered Macaws for 25 years and did my part to help the Hy Macaws here in the US and in the Wild they are truly the Gental Giants And My snakes will get the same type care the best their is.

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[Lady mkrj58]

Who Am I kidding I love all animals lol I breed highly endangered Macaws for 25 years and did my part to help the Hy Macaws here in the US and in the Wild they are truly the Gentle Giants And My snakes will get the same type care the best their is. I hope that we never see beautiful snakes going extinct in their Natural Habitat.

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[RissaEst]

I'm not sure what your questions are. However, a snake who hasn't been properly cared for may take a little while to go back to shedding properly. I wouldn't worry too much about a bad shed if it's only the first or second since you've gotten the snake. Also, I would switch them over to rats as soon as you can. It's healthier for your babies. Good job helping your little one from Petco! And welcome to Ball Python parenthood!

[Lady mkrj58]

This is the second shed and its going better than the first so far at least this go around he/she has some weight on and is properly Hydrated , so You think I should feed Rats I guess I have not looked into that, so a Rat diet is healthier, Could you explain to me why if you dont mind and I will also go dig into the diet end of things, I never new that see I learned something today thank you.

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[Lady mkrj58]

RissaEst what size Rat would I need in your opinion, We have a Petco and a Grange Feed store that is really well stocked with Reptile supply, except only large Rats same thing at Petco , I currently have been buying 10 regular mice and Gut loading them with Mice Pellets and Fresh food so they will be really healthy before the snakes get them. Also I keep trying Frozen prey but neither snack will eat it The closest larger town is Medford Oregon its like 80 miles their and 80 back to Klamath Falls so I will need to know the size and I guess buy like 20 at a time so I can have them gut loaded with good food.

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[RissaEst]

I've heard the nutritional value of a rat is better, but Im not sure if it's true. Ball Pythons have this thing they do where they imprint on a certain food. If your snake decides it loves mice, it may refuse every rat even if you try all the tricks to make that rat look tasty. So, in
the future you will end up buying tons of mice to feed just one snake. Yours are babies now, one or two mice are affordable for the moment. Imagine how many an adult would need! My Carpet Python was eating 5 mice at a time weekly with her previous owners. It took me months to get her on rats. Since then she has filled out and glows!

[Lady mkrj58]

I see your point and I have read of the food imprinting issue with the Balls I did not look at the future's scheme of things I was just thrilled to have the Pastel eating .

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[Lady mkrj58]

I'm going to go get educated on Rats I will also visit BHB and Abbs cool reptiles I bought my daughter a Beautiful Ball Python from Abbys several years ago and I really liked the Breeder.

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