Shedding Question.

[cweimer4]

My ball python is currently in shed. I read the shedding process thread over a few times. Everything is going accordingly which is great! He went blue and his skin got all dull and everything. Okay so now his eyes have gone back to regular color and all. And I can practically see the skin falling off. He hasnt got out of his hide much since going blue, Will he automatically know when to get it off or is there a reason hes hanging on to his skin so long? Its been about a week since he went blue idk how long after that they get rid of their layer of skin. I want to try feeding him but I know they dont eat as much if at all when theyre in shed. I dont wanna go get a mouse if hes not gunna eat. Should he get rid of that layer of skin soon? How long does it take? Any help is well appreciated!

[Reptile King]

A shed can takes around 10 days or so before the snake is shed free. Once the eyes return to "clear" status after the "blue" phase it will be any day when your snake sheds its skin. Be sure that your humidity is around 50% to 60% and let your snake do its thing. My ball python will not come out of her hide when she is in shed. Once the skin is ready to come off your snake will know what to do. Generally, at least with mine anyway, she will start moving in circles inside her hide when the skin is coming off. She will rub her body together in order to get it off. No need to worry about the shed just keep your humidity levels correct.

As far as eating during shed some will and some won't. Sometimes mine will eat and sometimes she won't. If you want to hold off until your ball python sheds that will be fine.

After he/she sheds be sure that the eye caps came off with the shed. Also, inspect your ball python after the shed to be sure all of the skin came off. If you have a piece that did not come off get a lukewarm washcloth and all him/her to crawl through it and it will easily come off. Also, don't be shocked if you see a small amount of blood around the tail portion of the shed skin..........it's normal.

[BPelizabeth]

ditto to reptile king. Don't worry....mine takes up to 11 days after she went blue to actually shed. I check her everyday to see if it has happened and then once it has I stretch it out and check it to make sure it all came off.

[Kaorte]

Could you perhaps take a picture? If you already see the skin flaking off then your snake is probably having a bad shed. If the humidity is right, the actual act of shedding should be rather fast, they just roll it off like a sock, all in one piece.

[zantedeschia]

If the humidity is right, the actual act of shedding should be rather fast, they just roll it off like a sock, all in one piece.

OMG, OMG, this is something that I find so amusing about shedding. They don't roll it off like a sock. They roll it off like it's a condom.

Okay there, I said it, I'll go hide now.

[cweimer4]

Thanks for all the replies. I asked my local wildlife office who has a few and found out it was a bad shed. The humidty was about 55% give or take a few and i soaked him today and now hes alllll pretty. thanks!