Shedding Confusion?

[Ella_S]

First time owner, so this may be a stupid question, but...
My ball python started looking slightly dull and being less active (but he's still eating no problem), so I thought he was going into shed and sure enough, his belly turned pink shortly after & I bumped up the humidity to 80, because his scales were feeling sort of rough and I wanted his shed to go as smoothly as possible.
Now, today I handled him because I wanted to weigh him (318 grams & 72 cms; the breeder said he was born in 10/2017 but he looks more like a 10/2018) and I noticed his belly was white again- he did not shed, though... I clean his terra daily and there is no shed skin to be seen... I'm also fairly sure it wasn't a burn because a) it was smoothly on the whole underside, looking like typical pre-shed belly and b) the heat mats are regulated by a thermostat and regularly checked by myself using an infrared thermometer- at no point does it ever exceed 34 degrees celsius.
So... can anyone tell me what's happening? I don't think he's sick... he's eating, peeing and pooping like a little boss, there's no mucus or bubbles anywhere and he's even pretty active (climbing not all night but every night), but I want to know what I'm supposed to do, this specific situation isn't in any care guide I've read...

Stats:
Terrarium: 400 Liters; 1mx50cmx80cm; 2 hides (one moist with sphagnum moss)
Temp: 34-30 hottest point day, 30-28 coldest point day, 32-29 hottest point night, 29-26 coldest point night
Humidity: 65-85%

So... can anyone here help a beginner out? Please?

[Danger noodles]

Well after they go blue they turn back to normal then shed. This is probably what your seeing

[55fingers]

The stages of a ball python in shed:

1. Pink belly and looking dull.
2. Eyes become blue/grey. They are much more reclusive, and often won't eat during this time. They may prefer the hot hide over the cold.
3. Eyes clear up, and they look pretty normal. Almost no sign of shedding. They may still be slightly reclusive.
4. After around a week, they will shed. If humidity is high enough, it will hopefully be in one piece.


It can take 1-5 days inbetween stages. A lot of new keepers get confused when the snakes eyes clear up and there's no shed. I'm thinking yours is just still between stages ^u^ just keep the humidity up, and sit back and wait for a week or so. Good luck!

[pretends2bnormal]

BPs always have a "clear" phase after the go dull and have cloudy eyes. This lasts a few days before they actually shed. Since yours just went clear, you probably have a few days before there will be a shed. Keep the humidity high until you find it.

Also, no way is a 300+g BP from 10/2018. I have 6-8 month olds that aren't even cracking 200g yet (close, but not yet). Unless this one was very heavily fed??? But I really don't see that as likely.

Breeders will typically feed somewhat small meals to keep them from outgrowing the tubs they have available as they try to sell them, so yours was probably maintenance fed or was an initially difficult eater who grew very slowly at the start.

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