New Ball Python Owner..?

[XXXO]

Greetings, I'm a brand spanking new BP owner. Bought my first snake last Friday (a week ago), took him home Saturday night. He's been here 6 nights now. I use cypress mulch as substrate to keep humidity because humidity in our house is low; (My daughter also uses a humidifier at night). I noticed he looks a little darker since when I first got him. . . I'm not sure if this is normal because he's using a different substrate than at the shop. He's been in his hides for 2 nights now since I feed him on Wednesday, which I heard was normal and that "A hiding ball python is a happy ball python"? Also he ate happily, I had no trouble with him. Just curious if his color difference is normal..? I'm a little worried, sorry.

When I first got him:


Tonight (I lifted his hide to take a quick pic and placed it back:

[tbowman]

He may be going into a shed cycle. Dull colors are usually the first indicator. Followed by a pinkish belly and a cloudy tint to the eyes. And yes they do spend the majority of their time hiding.

[XXXO]

Thanks for the suggestion, its just that hes my first snake so Im curious and worried. I like to be safe than sorry, Ive heard so much horror stories like mites, respiratory infection, scale rot, Etc. I was told by some to wait a week at least to feed him cause he might not eat because of his move. . . But the other store clerk told me he eats every Wednesday. I fed him on Wednesday (his fifth night here) cause I didnt wanna disrupt his feeding schedule and he ate fairly fast and w/o a problem. He's not agressive w/me, nor does he ball up whenever I go into the tank. He sleeps in his hide during the day, roams the tank at night sometimes. Hasn't been out his hide since he ate, today is when I really noticed the color change

[tbowman]

Is his belly pinkish? I think you're just worrying too much. As far as I know dulling of the skin isn't a sign of any of the illnesses you mentioned. I'm guessing he's just getting ready to shed.

[XXXO]

I can't tell, I didn't wanna pick him up yet since he ate 2 nights ago and hasn't left his hide yet but Ill take your advice and just continue to keep a close eye. Thanks.

[tbowman]

I'd say after two days, you're safe to pick him up.

[anicatgirl]

Mine digests for about a day before I handle her again. Dimming in color tends to indicate a shed, and soon after that their tummy will turn pink. Noticeably so. Then the eyes will gray over.

[LivingwithBalls]

Mine digests for about a day before I handle her again. Dimming in color tends to indicate a shed, and soon after that their tummy will turn pink. Noticeably so. Then the eyes will gray over.

Not always, my bps belly didn't turn pink. He just got really faded and had milky eyes, which led to blue eyes


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[Atrox]

Same with my normal. A pink belly during his shed cycle does not exist. It's just much darker colors and then milky to blue eyes which then clear up about the night before his shed.

[michaelt]

I find it easiest to watch the eyes.. My normal will blue over but my albino they just getting a little cloudy so harder to tell but always keep the humidity little higher