New owner, couple questions

[jwt708]

Hi! This is my second post, but first question. I know from my "homework" that ball pythons can be finicky eaters, so I'm not really concerned, but how long have some of you seen it take for a ball to start eating? I bought it about two weeks ago and it hasn't ate yet. Like I said, I'm not real worried, but curious. About 3 days after I got Levi, it went into a shed - which scared me to death (I'm new to snakes). It's been done for about 4 days now, and I tried to feed, with no luck.

The shed brings me to my next question...My humidity level is low, the accurite tells me so. It's about 28%-30% and was durring shed. I have a glass tank with a screen top, but I covered with foil & duct tape and have the coconut bark substrate that I mist, just can't raise it. I'm going to try a room humidifier, because the humidity in this area is VERY low (new mexico). I read somewhere that that can help quite a bit. If not, next step will be an in tank humidifier, at least I think that would be a good way to go...unless someone has a better idea.

I had suspicions that Levi was in shed, first its eyes got milky and blue and stayed that way for about a week and a half. That scared me. For some reason I thought their eyes only did that for a day...Anyway after his eyes cleared I thought maybe he was dehydrated, so I gave it a soak in lukewarm water for a little bit and then kinda dried him off and put him away. (I work midnights) When I got home there was a complete pile of shed in the corner of the tank, I was so excited that he wasn't sick! I'm not sure, but I put the humidity gauge on the cool side. Do you think the soak enabled Levi to shed in one peice?

[python.princess]

Hi! This is my second post, but first question. I know from my "homework" that ball pythons can be finicky eaters, so I'm not really concerned, but how long have some of you seen it take for a ball to start eating? I bought it about two weeks ago and it hasn't ate yet. Like I said, I'm not real worried, but curious. About 3 days after I got Levi, it went into a shed - which scared me to death (I'm new to snakes). It's been done for about 4 days now, and I tried to feed, with no luck.

The shed brings me to my next question...My humidity level is low, the accurite tells me so. It's about 28%-30% and was durring shed. I have a glass tank with a screen top, but I covered with foil & duct tape and have the coconut bark substrate that I mist, just can't raise it. I'm going to try a room humidifier, because the humidity in this area is VERY low (new mexico). I read somewhere that that can help quite a bit. If not, next step will be an in tank humidifier, at least I think that would be a good way to go...unless someone has a better idea.

I had suspicions that Levi was in shed, first its eyes got milky and blue and stayed that way for about a week and a half. That scared me. For some reason I thought their eyes only did that for a day...Anyway after his eyes cleared I thought maybe he was dehydrated, so I gave it a soak in lukewarm water for a little bit and then kinda dried him off and put him away. (I work midnights) When I got home there was a complete pile of shed in the corner of the tank, I was so excited that he wasn't sick! I'm not sure, but I put the humidity gauge on the cool side. Do you think the soak enabled Levi to shed in one peice?

first, i had no problem feeding either of my snakes when i got them, so i can't really tell u, but if he's too stressed out or was overfed before coming into ur care, that could do it. somebody, please correct me if i'm wrong (not an expert) but i wouldn't start worrying until he starts noticeably losing weight. he should be alright for at least a couple months. one of mine went into a fast for a month and a half and he was just fine.
as far as freaking out over the shed, don't feel bad... just a few days ago (after 2 years with my snakes) i saw floyd grinding his snout into the ground and started freaking out cuz i thought maybe he had that looping condition... till i got closer and noticed he was just starting 2 shed! lol! he usually does it at night when i'm sleeping so i've never really seen it! and, yes, the soak would've been a big help to him during shed with the humidity that low.
as far as the humidity, i would definitely get a humidifier next to the enclosure. it raised my humidity by about 20%. i don't know about a tank humidifier... never used one... one of these more experienced members can probably fill u in on that.

like i said, i'm no expert, just going by my limited experience! lol! so, anyone, please feel free to correct me (i know u will!) or elaborate...

[TheAudOne]

I soak a few of mine when they go blue just to help them out a little...I used to let them soak while I cleaned there tubs (all 6 of them) but now only soak them when the need be...I found it did help with a few that had issues shedding and they seemed to like it...I hope

We had a glass tank for 3 of ours at one point and covered the whole lid leaving open a small space for air flow with foil and then duct tape over that...had the humidity get to high at one point (we also used the coconut husks at that time)

And make sure all your temps and humidity are spot on..once they are he should perk up...although I have 1 right now with perfect numbers who hasnt eaten since 10.03.06...she isnt losing weight an is active so were waiting it out...

[jwt708]

Thanks.

[bjthomps]

You mentioned your tank, the lid, and the substrate you are using - but what heat source are you using in your setup? May sound like a dumb question, but overhead heat lamps, especially the ceramic heat bulbs, can pull humidity out of your enclosure. Are you using Under-tank heat or an over-head heat lamp?