Boas do not go as "blue" as balls do. Their eyes will cloud over, but I can usually tell they are going into shed because they get really dark and kind of dingy looking. Also, mine tend to dissappear. If I haven't seen them out for a day or so... And from my experience the overall start to finish of a boas shed is longer than a balls. As far as feed, mine have never, ever, missed a meal... Also, I would follow Evenstar's feeding recommendations.