They do usually become much more sedentary (as if they weren't already enough so! LOL) during a shed cycle. It's also common for them to spend 98% of their day asleep in a hide, even if they are not currently shedding or digesting. As they get settled in and feel safe in their home, they tend to sleep a lot more than when they first arrived.

Your description of the impending shed sounds a little concerning, though. You don't usually see "bits of skin" coming off during the "blue" phase of the process.

Check out this thread:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=28794
And see how that compares to what your snake is going through.