Trying to KEEP my BP healthy

[Eric Alan]

I've been reading a lot in the 1 1/2 weeks that I have him, but the one question that I cannot find an answer for is this:

Should I offer him food after having refused one meal (a week ago) AND while he is apparently starting a shed?
His eyes are milky. To the touch, he feels less solid than he did a week ago. He willingly let me take him out of the tank yesterday and he just rested in my arms. He seemed content but not inquisitive as he normally is.
My hunch is, I should not offer hopper rat or anything until he completes shed, but I also do not want to starve him unnecessarily.
Can someone please help me?

I wouldn't worry about feeding him until he's done with his shed. The rest of his behaviors are likely because he's going through this process. He's probably got less than a week left until he's done. Just remember to keep his humidity up until then. Here's a good article to read on this process (if you haven't already done so): http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...edding-Process.

He does look healthy all other ... I've been keeping his tank very clean and thought that I am being good for taking him out ... It's gotta be so boring to any creature to not be able to explore his environment.

Ball pythons all have different personalities. Some don't mind being handled at all - some get stressed out by it and the only way you'll know that they are stressed is because they'll start refusing to eat. You also should know that a "boring" ball python is typically a happy ball python. Boring = comfortable. Most of them will come out of their hides and explore at night, but they're known for being pet rocks during the day. My recommendation for you is that because you just got him less than 2 weeks ago, and he's shedding, and he refused a meal already in your care, is to take yourself out of his world for awhile (as difficult as that may be). Still give him everything he needs (clean cage, water, warm spot, humidity, etc), but try not to hold him until he's done shedding and has eaten a few (at least three) meals while in your care.

What ever should you do when you wish you could be holding him? Here's some light reading that you'll definitely enjoy!

• Ball Python Caresheet: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...s%29-Caresheet
• Glass Tank Setup: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!
• Defrosting Feeders: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...efrost-feeders
• Bad Shed? (just in case): http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...hed-No-problem

And, last but not least, welcome to the forums!