I'm worried can someone give me advice

[fournikm]

Hey guys I'm new to owning a ball python, I have had mine for a month, he is 6 months old and going into his first shed since I have had him, I feed him tuesdays and last tuesday I didn't feed him because his eyes were milky, now almost a week later he has started to shed(scales on his nose are white and hes trying to get them off) hes been trying to get them off since saturday morning (its now sunday night) and he hasn't gotten anywhere, he keeps rubbing his head on things but cant really get it started. Is this a problem? also the main reason why I am posting is because he is looking really skinny (like folds of scales where his body is bent) is this bad? is this just because hes shedding? should I try to feed him?

thanks for the help I am really worried

[Jonas@Balls2TheWall]

Sounds like you have serious humidity problems. You need to bumb up the humidity in your enclosure asap. Whats is your setup like?

[fournikm]

20 gallon aspen bedding 3 hides a water dish, humidity has been at 40-50 the whole time

[Jonas@Balls2TheWall]

I would mist the aspen a little, doesnt take a lot to raise the humidity. Try to cover the top of the enclosure with a towel or plastic bag so the humidity does not escape. What is your heat source?

[fournikm]

I have a towel over top already, does plastic work better? and my heat source is a heat mat underneath and a 100W infrared bulb

[Jonas@Balls2TheWall]

Im not experience with bulbs but 100W might be a bit strong for a 20 gallon tank. If the heat mat can provide enough heat for the enclosure I wouldnt even use the bulb. What are your temperatures like. For now just mist the tank a little bit and he should shed soon. As far as feeding goes I would hold off until he is done with this bad shed.

[Jonas@Balls2TheWall]

Yes plastic does work better.

[fournikm]

so just like a black garbage bag? and is there a risk of it melting from the light or something? oh and i misted and he seems to like it cos hes working on getting it off again so thanks

[heathers*bps]

Can you post pictures of your snake and the setup? That would help out a lot

[Jonas@Balls2TheWall]

A black garbage bag works but if the light is too close it will melt it. How are your temperatures on both cool and warm side? If the heat pad is big enough and your ambient temps are not too cold than you should be fine without the light which would allow you to cover the top without worrying of anything melting.