What Are the Symptoms of a Shedding Ball Python Snake?

All species of snake shed their skin periodically; this can also be referred to as molting or ecdysis. Young ball pythons may shed their skin every few weeks because they are rapidly growing, and adult ball pythons may only shed their skin every few months. Some ball pythons may also shed their skin because their skin is irritated due to mites, or to heal a cut or abrasion. Shedding is a completely normal act, and depending on whether or not the snake is in good health and being kept in the proper conditions, the shed skin may come off in one piece or in many pieces.

  1. Loss Of Appetite

    • Ball pythons that are about to shed or are already in shed may not seem interested in eating and may refuse food. If this does happen, it is only temporary; the ball python should have a normal appetite after shedding.

    Color Change

    • A ball python about to shed may seem duller in color as well as appear to have milky-colored or blueish coatings on its eye. The ball python sheds all of its skin, including the thin layer covering its eyes. This color change is merely the old skin separating from the new skin, and the snake is preparing to shed it.

    Soaking

    • Ball pythons require higher amounts of humidity and moisture to shed their skin properly. To obtain this, ball pythons my immerse themselves and soak in their water dish for hours at a time.

    Peeling Skin

    • The final symptom of a shedding ball python is the actual act of shedding. The older shed skin may be balled up around the base of the snake, as if it is crawling out of a sock. Alternatively, if the ball python does not have the required humidity levels for a proper shed, the shed skin may flake off in pieces.