Should you feed a ball python when its shedding?
Many ball pythons will refuse food while they’re in the middle of a shed cycle, but some will continue to accept food. Experienced keepers may continue to offer their snake food while he’s undergoing a shed cycle, but it will typically be wise for beginning keepers to simply withhold food until the process concludes.
Is it bad to feed a snake that is shedding?
Feeding a snake during a shed cycle doesn’t create any serious health risks, but the constriction process may cause portions of the soon-to-be-shed skin to rip. This can make the snake more likely to have a bad shed.
What should I do if my snake is shedding skin?
A veterinarian can help remove the remaining skin and examine your snake. Usually, shedding problems are caused by a lack of humidity, but you’ll want an exam to rule out any possible underlying health problems. Never try to peel off excess skin yourself, especially not skin around a snake’s eyes or mouth. Helpful?
What should I do when my ball python sheds?
When your snake goes into the “blue” phase leading up to a shed, you might want to increase the relative humidity inside the enclosure. Snakes use moisture to separate the old skin layer from the underlying layer. That’s why it’s so important to keep your ball python well hydrated — it helps them shed properly, all in one piece.
What happens to a snake when it starts to shed?
Your snake’s appetite may decrease or it may not want to eat. Your snake may become more skittish or defensive because it can’t see well due to the shedding process. Shedding is very stressful for the snake. When your snake is ready to shed, it will seek out rough surfaces in the enclosure to help rub the skin off.
Feeding a snake during a shed cycle doesn’t create any serious health risks, but the constriction process may cause portions of the soon-to-be-shed skin to rip. This can make the snake more likely to have a bad shed.
What to do if your snake is not shedding its skin?
Incomplete shedding may be a sign of a health problem, such as an infectious disease, internal or external parasites, internal abscesses, or a nutrient deficiency. These should be discussed with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Retained eye caps can occur with incomplete shedding but may also happen when the rest of the skin is shed intact.
How long does it take for a shedding snake to grow?
Snakes shed regularly throughout their life to enable growth. Shedding usually takes about one to two weeks. Although this is a completely natural process, there are certain steps that you must take to care for a shedding snake. Make sure you foster a hospitable environment for your snake by adding extra water and humidity to the cage.
What can I put in my snake cage to keep it from shedding?
You can also use patches of tree bark, pine cones, and other coarse materials you find outside. If your snake is rubbing its nose against objects in the cage, it is trying to get its skin off during the shedding process. If you notice your snake doing this, it is particularly important that you add coarse materials to your snake’s cage. Helpful?
