HELP! Shedding longer than a week...?

[Rikoku]

Ball pythons are not aggressive my nature and is most likely being defensive or is stressed out. Can you provide us more details about temperature and how you are measuring them, what kind of enclosure she is in, what kind of hides, and what are the humidity levels and how you are measuring it.

[B-K]

She’s in a 40gal tank with aspen bedding and two bark hides, one on each side; I have two analog dual thermometer/humidity gauges on the back-wall on each side of the tank; heat mat under one side of the tank with two additional ceramic heating elements on top since the mat didn’t heat enough, all connected to a controller to keep the temperature steady; since the location of the tank is a little in the dark, I have a 13w UVB light on a 12h cycle; the temperature shows just about 80 degrees on one side and close to 90 on the other side, however, I once measured directly under the heating elements and it was obviously much warmer there than what it shows on the gauge on the back-wall; humidity was between 50 and 60%, but for the past two weeks I’m trying to keep it above 60%, having it most of the time between 60 and 80%. Also, she seems relatively large for her age (??), being almost 2ft long, so I’m wondering whether the local breeder mixed up some numbers; she easily eats adult mice; I was feeding once a week, but three weeks ago started feeding every 4-5 days; she is eating without any problems… Thanks again!!

[PitOnTheProwl]

She’s in a 40gal tank with aspen bedding and two bark hides, one on each side; I have two analog dual thermometer/humidity gauges on the back-wall on each side of the tank; heat mat under one side of the tank with two additional ceramic heating elements on top since the mat didn’t heat enough, all connected to a controller to keep the temperature steady; since the location of the tank is a little in the dark, I have a 13w UVB light on a 12h cycle; the temperature shows just about 80 degrees on one side and close to 90 on the other side, however, I once measured directly under the heating elements and it was obviously much warmer there than what it shows on the gauge on the back-wall; humidity was between 50 and 60%, but for the past two weeks I’m trying to keep it above 60%, having it most of the time between 60 and 80%. Also, she seems relatively large for her age (??), being almost 2ft long, so I’m wondering whether the local breeder mixed up some numbers; she easily eats adult mice; I was feeding once a week, but three weeks ago started feeding every 4-5 days; she is eating without any problems… Thanks again!!

How are you regulating your heat mat? UTH is for a hot spot NOT ambient heat.
UVB is not needed don't think its hurting the humidity but a waste of electricity.
Stick on analog gauges are usually junk and I would trash it and replace with digital.
Also TWO CHEs are overkill unless you keep it really cold in this room.

[B-K]

Great drawing! Thanks!
Well, yes, I guess those gauges are not really great; I'll look for something better...
CHE and mat are on a controller with a thermostat, so while two CHE might be too much, thanks to the controller it seems to work relatively well and it gives me peace of mind in case one CHE burns out, as it has already happened right in the beginning. Plus, my BP is regularly moving from the warm to the cold hide and back, so she seems to be fine with the temperatures.

Since someone else suggested that my humidity was still not enough, I am spraying the tank now several times a day and, unless the gauges are COMPLETELY off, I should now be well above 70% most of the time... Any more ideas about shedding and the aggression? My BP still seems stressed and even with all this advice in this forum, I still can't figure it out! Any chance that a hide half-round hollow wood log isn't a comfortable enough hide for her?? It was sold in the pet store as a hide and it seems to be the right size, yet maybe with openings to both side, she doesn't feel protected enough...??