snake shed

[Jailene]

I was wondering my ball python usually sheds beautifully with no problems what so ever. This time she took 4-5 days longer then usual.
this didn't bother me too much cause i know she was a little stressed because my roommate little girl kept taking her out of her cage.

Now my problem is when she did shed there were spots of what looked to be blood on the shed skin. I quickly grab her checked her over and there were no injuries. I was wondering is this normal because she has never done this before?

[dr del]

Hi,

The shed cycle can definately take longer sometimes than others - and it tends to take longer in adults than it does in hatchling I find.

And a couple of drops of blood are perfectly normal.

It comes from the delicate skin around the vent when the old skin rips free. As long as there isn't a lot of it and it stops you are fine.


dr del

[Alexandra V]

Yup, as was said, it can take a bit longer from time to time. Snakes don't sit there and think "I've gotta make sure that I shed in three days", they just do what they feel like.

The blood can be normal, because sometimes they can have a tendency to be a bit rough on themselves, especially near the vent. It it's just a few spots it's perfectly fine.

[shelliebear]

They're pretty rough on themselves when they START shedding, too--rubbing their mouth around on anything they can. Looks painful!
But I agree with what others said.