Please help need advice

[LesClaypool522]

Hi, about 9 months ago I got a ball python named Les. He is captive born and has been extremely healthy without any problems thus far. He has never refused to eat and is active about four nights a week. I have also seen him shed about 4 times and then about a week ago I went to check on him. Upon looking at him I noticed he was going to shed his eyes being blue, skin dull and belly pink and then I accidentally dropped a wood hide on him from about nine inches up and it kind of just thumped him on the body lightly, I don't think it hurt him because he seemed fine. That's not the issue. The next day I fed him and it took some serious coaxing to get him to eat. The next few days he sits in his hide all the time and I left him alone thinking he was shedding and then one day I noticed his eyes were black again and thought he would shed that day, but its been four days and his skin isn't dull anymore, belly is normal color and eyes black. For some reason he is extremely hard feeling and he is being really reclusive. There was no sign of a shed and I am a little worried by all the things that have suddenly gone weird. Anyone with some knowledge about this would be appreciated and sorry for so much detail just wanted to make sure everything was covered.

[Jenn]

He is going to shed any minute.

[LesClaypool522]

Really?

[ScubaDiver007]

yep.. he is getting ready to come out of his skin.. sometimes that process takes longer than other times. Double check your humidity.. if its good. just leave him .. he will come out..

[stratus_020202]

He should be. As they get older their sheds take longer. We take bets at my house on when they will shed, and I miss it every time. As long as his humidity is good, you should have nothing to worry about He probably feels hard because he is tense.

I have one male that feels like a rock when you hold him. He's a shy guy, and is always tensed up. I would probably give him another 4-5 days, and just keep an eye on him.

[Danounet]

If he is in a she cycle and he doesnt want to eat, dont push him so much, it just makes things worse. Just wait until next feeding schedule, missing a meal wont be anything bad.

[LesClaypool522]

Thanks for the advice everyone. He just shed about around 8 o clock tonight and is bright as hell looking. He still seems sort of tense, but still thanks a lot everyone.