Ball Python Shedding

A snake is a very interesting animal with a unique way of replacing its skin. This process is referred to as shedding and the ball python is also on them. This is a natural process. All snakes shed their skin at the same time to accommodate new growth.

It is normal for a ball python to shed about 2 weeks after hatching, but they tend to shed a few weeks at different periods throughout the rest of their lives. An adult ball can shed about every 5 weeks, while a young one can shed approximately every 3 weeks.

You should be aware of the fact that there are times when the ball pythons do not shed well, which can cause serious health problems, which is why as responsible pet owners, it is very important to take care of them during the shedding period in order to make sure that they do not get a problem shed during the shedding period. To do this, you should make sure that you notice them during shedding and that you help them at that time. To be successful at getting a poor shed-free shed, you should read this article carefully.

Ball Python Shedding Process

In the process of shedding their skin, the ball Pythons go through different phases or stages that can be distinguished by the way they appear together; all of these phases will take around 14 days to complete. Those phases or phases are described in the following paragraphs.

Blue Phase / Pre-Shed

During this first phase of the shed process, the eyes of the ball python get foggy and have a blue tint to them, their skin gets tight, and they may become unable to eat and become extremely uncomfortable. This is one of the most recognizable phases during this process.

White Phase

A ball in this stage will begin to lose its dullness and foggy eyes in about a week or two. This phase is distinguished by the darker color of your ball during this time. Your ball will develop oils under its top layer of skin that will help them separate the top layer from its old skin in the next few days as your ball begins to shed its old skin after the white phase begins.

Final Phase

Finally, you will notice that your ball python will begin to rub its nose on anything it can find, and this will cause them to loosen its skin, which will then allow them to get rid of the outer layer of skin that is on its outer surface. This procedure should only take a few minutes for them to complete.

Recovery

When the old skin has been shed, the ball python needs time to recover, so it is important to provide them with a humid environment and warm environment during this period. Since the ball python may be susceptible to illness during this time, it is very important to closely monitor its health during this time.

How do you know when a ball Python is going to shed?

If your ball python is going to shed then they will show some signs of shedding which are very crucial for their owners in order to provide them with proper care during the shedding period. Some signs that your ball python is going to shed are shown below.

The belly skin will begin to turn pink.
They will look much duller.
The appearance of their eyes becomes milky and opaque.
Hide more often.
Skin that looks foggy.
They begin to act defensively.
Lethargy develops.
Soaking in water often.
Reduced appetite.
The food strike has begun.
The skin became tight and wrinkled.

Is shedding painful for ball pythons?

Ball pythons indeed suffer from shedding pain. Shedding is also a stressful and irritable experience for them, as they become aggressive sometimes during this process.

How long does it take a ball Python to shed?

The healthy ball python sheds its entire top layer of skin in one piece at the end of its life cycle, which takes place every five weeks for adults and more regularly for juvenile ball pythons. This entire process can take anywhere between ten to fourteen days.

First Ball Python will go into a "pre-shed stage" for the next week and during this time, you will be able to see a pink belly on the ball, as well as darker eyes, and once the eyes have cleared up, the ball will shed within the next three days, it will shed completely after 72 hours.

Is it safe to handle ball Python during the shedding process?

No, it's not safe to handle ball pythons during the shedding process. Here are three reasons why you should not handle them during the shedding process.

A ball python can be affected by oils on your hands when you handle him during shed time and this can result in a severe disruption of the lubricant under the top layer of his skin and can cause him to suffer from illnesses.
It is important to remember that your ball python will be agitated and with reduced vision during the shed process, so if you handle them during that time you may suffer a bite.
In the shed period, ball pythons will be uncomfortable and stressed, so if they are handled during that time, they will suffer illnesses as a result of high-stress levels.

So in order to make sure that your ball python stays healthy, it is best not to handle them during the shedding process as this can be harmful to your pet and to you as well.

Is it a good idea to feed my ball python while it is shedding?

I would not recommend feeding your ball python when shedding takes place. Below we provide three reasons why you should not feed your ball python when shedding takes place.

As a rule of thumb, you should waste all your food when you give your ball python to the shed period as this is a very uncomfortable time for the animals. During this period they generally refuse to eat.
The sight of their eyes will become worse if they are fed during the shed period.
There is a risk of regurgitation in ball pythons if you feed them during the process of shedding.

As a result, it would be wise to skip feeding them one or two times during the shedding period in order to keep them in good health.

What is the shed frequency of ball pythons?

There are a variety of factors that determine the rate at which ball pythons shed, including age, size, growth, health status, and so on. However, it is generally accepted that the younger ball python sheds more frequently than adult ball pythons.

A juvenile ball python sheds more frequently as it sheds once every month or once every three weeks, whereas a mature or adult ball python sheds once every eight weeks.

What is the best way to prevent a shedding problem in a ball python?

During the process of shedding, you can prevent your ball python from suffering serious problems by following some simple precautions.

By keeping your ball python's environment free of noise, you will be able to lower its stress level.
In order to prevent the problem of shedding, it is important to keep their habitat clean.
To ensure that your ball python sheds successfully, you need to ensure that it has a hiding spot and the right humidity levels.
Before and after shedding, you should avoid handling your ball python.
It is important to provide accessories to the ball python aquarium, such as clean rocks to help them rub off their old skin. Sharp edges should be avoided in the tank.
You should ensure that the ball python enclosure is humid and provide it with shallow dishes of water to ensure that the ball python remains well hydrated at all times.

Common Shedding Issues in Ball Python With Treatment

It is possible for ball pythons to experience shedding problems during the shedding process. These problems with solutions are given below.

A retained eyecap

It is possible that some of the skin shed by the ball python may become stuck in the eye of the ball, which can cause a nasty infection in the eye of the ball and which can have a serious effect on the ball's vision if it becomes infected. The skin that sheds from the eyes of the ball is often referred to as the ball cap.

Treatment- The best way to deal with this problem at home is to first prepare a shallow container filled with water with lukewarm water and then gently place the ball python in it. After soaking the ball python, gently rub the retained skin around the eye with a damp cotton swab. It is possible to easily remove the stuck skin from the eye by doing so. However, if you cannot accomplish this step, you will need to visit a veterinarian for assistance.

Stuck skin at the tail

Ball Pythons can sometimes retain the skin that is wrapped around the tip of their tails, which can be dangerous because it prevents blood from being able to flow into the tail tip, which can lead to the onset of infection and the eventual loss of the tail.

Treatment- As an easy way to address this problem, simply moisten the tail area of a ball python, and then roll the retained skin off the top of the tail of the ball python. You can also visit a vet for the treatment of this problem if needed.

Skin remaining near the vent

Ball python vents are what allow the ball python to have access to the reproductive, urinary, and digestive systems. Sometimes some skin is shed around these areas when the shedding is not good, and since this skin may remain connected to the delicate tissue within, it needs to be treated on time.

Treatment- If your ball python is suffering from this problem, you can take it to your veterinarian for treatment

Would it be possible to help Ball Python during the shed?

Yes, you can help ball pythons shed during the shedding period by giving them proper care and love, so that the shedding process runs smoothly. You can do several things to help them shed during the shedding period, which is mentioned below, in order to help them shed without any problems.

Soak them in water

If you would like to help your ball python during the shedding process, you should let him or her soak in warm water for a few minutes, which will allow them to soften any retained skin, which will help them to release it more easily, as well as ensuring that he or she is well hydrated.

Using a small plastic container, you will need to drill a couple of ventilation holes into the lid, allowing the air to circulate, and then you will need to pour water into the container, the temperature of the water should be between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and then you will need to leave the snake in water for about 20 minutes.

Make a shedding box

You can create a moist shed box for your ball python by creating a hole in the box, placing damp paper towels inside of the box, and leaving this box in the tank of your ball python. This allows your ball python to have a humid environment.

By Increasing tank humidity

If you want to help your ball python, you need to increase the humidity in the tank. This will help you keep the ball python hydrated and increase the overall humidity level of the tank. The best way to do this would be to add some hydrated substrates, like cypress mulch or orchid bark, so the humidity level in the tank should be between 50 and 70%.

Their habitat needs to be misted

During the period of shedding, you can help your ball python shed by spraying down the substrate and the walls of the enclosure. This will allow them to shed without any problems, although you should always make sure that you don't spray the ball python directly in the face as this can cause serious harm.

Make sure they have plenty of water

As a ball python owner, you can help your snake by giving them a generous amount of water during or after shedding, always refilling the tank's water when necessary, and making sure the water dish is clean every day. By giving your pythons proper amounts of water, you will be able to ensure that they keep hydrated and the humidity in the tank will also increase.

After shedding, clean the tank

It is very important to clean the tank after your ball python has shed its skin. You will be able to notice piles of excess skin lying around the tank. Make sure that you remove them and provide them with a clean and healthy environment.