Signs of shed

[sian.kelly]

So Kaa shed for me for the first time since I got her last night but I totally missed any signs that she was going into shed. Her humidity has been in the 50s for the time I'm guessing she was going through the whole process but I would of preferred it to be a bit higher (near perfect shed, eye caps off and only small piece on tail tip still on which has now been worked off).
I've not been handling her very often other than to weigh and check her over so it was easy to miss I guess. And it explains why she didn't eat her last two meals after eating previously.

So in short, what are the signs to look for when a normal coloured ball python is going into shed?


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[PitOnTheProwl]

Pinkish belly is usually a first sign.

[Rob]

To add to what Pit said, the pink could be very slight all the way to extremely red. It varies from snake to snake.


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[LittleTreeGuy]

The belly on my Mojave girl doesn't really change much at all from what I have seen. I can generally tell on her that he color seems really faded, almost foggy colored. Then her eyes will get dull for a day or two, and then go through different shades of blue for a few days, then her eyes clear up a little, but her skin still looks a little foggy... then all of a sudden she looks bright and I find a little ball of shed in her enclosure somewhere. Every time it's like getting a new snake.

[SiXandSeven8ths]

My pied recently shed for the second time since getting him. The first time was text book. Pinkish belly, blue eyes, faded color, clearing up then, boom, there's some rolled shed skin. This last one was a little different. He had refused a few meals and was just hanging out on his cool side for several days. Humidity and temps were good. Cleaned the enclosure and noticed he was really pinkish, not just belly either. All over. Maybe it was just the fact that his white patches are usually really white. I figured shed since his last meal prior to all this was pretty big but my fiance was instant panic mode thinking it was something else because he shouldn't be pink all over. A few days later the blue eyes happened. Worry was gone. Then he shed his skin a few days after that. Fed him again last night after refusing to eat after his shed. Ate like a boss.

TL,DR
The process can be a little different and a little frustrating.

[sian.kelly]

This is great, thank you all!! Suppose I just need to look out for it in the future and be more vigilant haha


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[Scottywelsh]

It varies massively from snake to snake and can sometimes easily be missed with some snakes.
Takes time to know your snakes but before long it will be easy
If there active snakes then when going into shed they will most likely spend all there time in a hide. Some snakes Refus food, some eat but miss when they strike because of their eye sight being impaired and then everything ells said above. Cloudy eyes, dull skin colour, pink belly, soaking in water bowl.
One of mine rubs herself along her tub regularly when going into shed

[AKA Dave]

This is great, thank you all!! Suppose I just need to look out for it in the future and be more vigilant haha


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Even that may not be enough depending on the snake. I recently started working with a few Hypo/Ghosts and I frequently miss all the signs even though I interact with them nearly every day.

Dave

[sian.kelly]

Okay, I'll keep that in mind thanks


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