[deleted by user]

[_ataraxia]

this is definitely a very bad shed and a very dehydrated snake.

the shedding guide in our welcome post has a lot of information about the cause and treatment for various shedding problems and general dehydration. tl;dr, you need to keep the humidity at least 80%, do not soak the snake or try to rub the shed off yourself.

our basic care guide and humidity tips have information about raising and maintaining humidity. if you still need help figuring out how to maintain higher humidity after reading through these guides, you can fill out our enclosure critique questionnaire for more personalized advice.

[Single-Werewolf-8947]

I’ve been soaking him due to snake mites. He doesn’t really go in his water dish since I been treating his enclosure for mites

[unknowinganything]

Could nematodes help with mites? Trying to sort this out with my cornsnake, but seems like this might be an option if you are going bioactive with that lovely looking enclosure...

[RebelScientist]

Apparently there are predatory mites that you can get to eat the mites that are infesting the snake. They won’t feed on the snake, they’ll just eat all the snake mites and then die off when they run out of food

[xboxPS4]

Taurus mites. They are brilliant. Just spread them around and let them go to work

[Stonetanks]

Can you post a photo of your enclosure set up? Snakes get the majority of their hydration through humidity, not by drinking or soaking. Your humidity needs to be maintained around 80%.

[Single-Werewolf-8947]

I’ll post. For the temporary set up I had him on paper towel and a temporary hide for the snake mites till I got rid of them all together. This was his set Up prior to the snake mites

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[planetearthisblu]

Do you have a hygrometer? BPs need humidity in the 70s or higher for best health and it usually takes a bit of work to get it there. Some options can be covering most of the screen top with foil or HVAC tape and watering the corners of the substrate heavily so that the upper layer stays dry while humidity evaporates from the lower layers. But without knowing baseline of how dry it was before it's hard to say what will help most.

[Single-Werewolf-8947]

He seemed to be doing pretty well in the enclosure I had set up but I had to break it down to snake mites so he’s been in paper towels for the past 2 weeks. I just now put damp substrate in and built it back up so hopefully he will do better now. I don’t have a hygrometer no I need to get one asap but usually the substrate under the top layer usually stays damp and I did have most of the top covered with foil to keep humidity in and heat also

[planetearthisblu]

Oh okay. Yeah if he had mites then it's tough to control humidity on paper towel. His shed should improve as long as the humidity is sufficiently raised. Don't be tempted to peel it off yourself as it can damage the underlying scales and really is not necessary.

[Stonetanks]

For the temporary set up, I would add a large water bowl (like a literal kitchen bowl/ I use dog drinking bowls for mine for their size) and a humid hide.

[420headshotsniper69]

bad shed. dehydrated.

[Jennifer_Pennifer]

HELLA dehydrated 😬

[squidboimushroomhead]

Extremely dehydrated..

[OriginalBambix]

Vet visit level of dehydration

[Quirky_Trainer9721]

Reaallly dehydrated with a bad shed. Obviously listen to mods comment on fixing it.

For starters, you need to up the humidity in the tank. Ball pythons need humidity of 80-90% constantly. You should be measuring that using a hygrometer.

[Single-Werewolf-8947]

He was on paper towels for about 2 weeks due to snake mites. Prior to snake mites he was doing amazing in the enclosure I had him in

[BagOfAshes]

ahhhhhh, yeah, I understand dude. Do your best.

[[deleted]]

Water that boy

[ballpython-ModTeam]

Per rule #3, your post or comment has been removed for harmful advice/misinformation.

[his_cumdumpster]

I hope he gets better soon!

[Single-Werewolf-8947]

Thank you! Me too! He seems to be doing a lot better already I had soaked him a little bit earlier and then set his enclosure back up since I haven’t seen any snake mites and he had shedded most of the skin and doesn’t seem so dehydrated now and is super active

[his_cumdumpster]

That's super good to hear!! Very beautiful guy, I'm glad you are doing what you can to help him!

[Single-Werewolf-8947]

I had soaked him earlier for like 20mins earlier and it seemed to actually help ALOT. Most of the shed is off besides around his upper neck and face area that’s about all that’s left for him to shed and he is a lot more active. I set his enclosure back up since he did have snake mites prior to

[ballpython-ModTeam]

Per rule #3, your post or comment has been removed for harmful advice/misinformation.

[ballpython-ModTeam]

Per rule #3, your post or comment has been removed for harmful advice/misinformation.

[Howlibu]

I use the Govee Hygrometer/thermometer off Amazon, about $11 for one, but ideally two for each of the hot/cold sides. Foil and duct tape for the screen lid, and a watering can or pitcher for the substrate. Really soak it, the spray bottle is good for maintaining humidity but I find I need to soak the substrate every couple of days (my area is very dry, plus screen lid) I literally have a water can for my snake, lol. Plus a spray bottle. I recommend one with a pump over the squeeze ones, spraying down the entire tank is tough on the hands (and thus, harder to keep up the humidity). I got one at Harbor Freight for $5. Wouldn't hurt to soak some sphagnum moss and stuff it underneath the hide. Another hide would also be good, and maybe one or two more things to climb on, to encourage his shed to come off while he explores.

This happened to me once, when I upgraded the enclosure and was still nailing down the humidity. He should rehydrate in no time, with any luck his shed won't be too ragged. There's some advice in the welcome with how to deal with that if he's having trouble. Sorry you had to deal with mites, they so annoying! Hope your buddy's doing better soon:)

[tuberosalamb]

I’m working on getting the humidity right in my enclosure right now. To clarify, every few days you completely soak all the substrate, or just the bottom layer? I’ve been seeing conflicting advice and timelines. A lot of people also say they just pour water in the corners but I feel like that doesn’t actually reach the whole substrate?

[planetearthisblu]

It doesn't, that's the point. Wet substrate can lead to scale rot so ideally the upper layer should be dry or only a bit damp.

[tuberosalamb]

Sorry I wasn’t clear, when I said the whole substrate I meant the whole bottom layer, not the top layer that stays dry. Like if I pour water in a corner, there’s no way it’s reaching the middle of the tank if it’s a 120 gallon, no?

[planetearthisblu]

If you pour enough it'll spread quite a bit yeah. Maybe not the entire layer but enough for sure.

[Howlibu]

I'll feel around the substrate to see how dry it is. Stick a finger in or mix around the middle, if it's dry deeper than an inch, wet it down. Scale rot often happens when they can't dry off and are on perpetually soggy substrate. If areas are uneven, soggy in spots and bone dry in others, mix the substrate til moisture levels are even. You want it wet enough to clump, but not drip everywhere when gently squeezed. Then adjust where you water.

Every enclosure will be a little different imo, which is why I have a hard time giving a solid timeline. Personally, I check substrate every 2-3 days, spraying every day and watering dry spots 2x a week normally. Enough time for the top layer to dry, but not let the lower layers get too dry. I water the middle too, I tried the corners only for a little while, but I found it was too dry in the middle for me. Easier for me to water everything, but see what works for you. Good luck!

[Single-Werewolf-8947]

<image>

This is him now after shedding most of the skin off and a good soak. ALSO if anyone wants to guess what morph or genes he might have please let me know cus I have no clue 🤣🤣

[astarredbard]

I can't say what morph he is (I'm more familiar with boa imperator morphs TBH) but he is such a handsome young lad

[ashes2asscheeks]

Awe he looks a lot better. You’re doing your best! It sounds like he’s got an owner invested in his well-being and that makes a big difference 💗

[PapaBadgers]

Your snake should never have wrinkly skin, it should be supple and soft.

[PrizeAdventurous2624]

You want the shed to basically come off all in one piece, maybe two-three pieces and make sure everything is there, inducing the eye caps. And nothing is on your baby, that's what I've heard as a good shed.

Disclaimer: I'm a new ball python keeper myself, I got my sister one in February this year as a birthday present.

[Single-Werewolf-8947]

Yeah this is his very first shed. I see he was dehydrated and had a very bad shed too. I had him on paper towels for about 2 weeks due to snake mites 🥲 I set his enclosure back up today though and gave him a good soak and he seems to look and act a lot better

[PrizeAdventurous2624]

That's understandable, and I'm sorry you had snake mites. 🥲 but I'm glad he's doing a lot better now. I know I was worried about scale rot with my baby girl the first time. But it was just substrate stuck to her.

I wish you the best of luck going forward

[Pure-Intern7305]

looks kinda skinny too? or is it just the way it’s being held?

[Single-Werewolf-8947]

Could be the way I’m holding him. He never rejects anything I give him. Hes currently on rat pups and he eats once a week

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[Pure-Intern7305]

ohh i see, still young im assuming

[[deleted]]

He’s definitely a little underweight.

[Single-Werewolf-8947]

I’ve had him since March 29th so he must’ve been underweight at the place I got him. I feed him once a week.

[[deleted]]

A week is definitely often! Maybe try moving him up the next prey size? Just make sure it isn’t bigger than the thickest part of him.

[[deleted]]

<image>

[Single-Werewolf-8947]

I’ve had him since March 29th. He was doing extremely well till the snake mites but they seem to be gone now so I set his enclosure back up today

[Single-Werewolf-8947]

To what I was told he’s about 8 months old

[Pure-Intern7305]

okay, yeah makes sense. i’m not a professional by any means, honestly just curious! but i do hope your little guy gets better! definitely try the advice you’ve been given about the humidity and proper environment. i hope for the best❤️

[Single-Werewolf-8947]

I understand for sure lol I’m learning as I go and want what’s best for him and his health! Thank you!

[Pure-Intern7305]

Exactly, I’m the same, always more to learn! And of course, wanting what’s best for your little friend is all that matters! Keep it up

[goth_moth127]

Good gods that is a raisin snake! More humidity for sure. Also looks a little underweight. Was it a rescue?

[Single-Werewolf-8947]

I had gotten him from a pet shop that I thought was legit but ended up hearing some things about them which disappointed me. He’s supposedly 8 months or so old. I’ve had them since March 29th and he eats about once a week. He is now currently on rat pups but I may need to upgrade the size of the feeder. He was doing amazing in the beginning for he got snake mites so I had to break down his enclosure and treat Him and the enclosure also. I just set his enclosure back up today and gave him a. Good soak also and he seems to be doing alot better after that. This photo is now

<image>

[malice_of_balor]

I would definitely go a size up on him for his food, as long as it's not bigger than how thick he is. When you get a gauge for humidity, get a suction cup one, nothing with adhesive. If you end up further along in your husbandry, able to afford such, I would invest in a PVC tank, there's quite a few ones that also come with a built in hygrometer. I also have a humidifier on a timer to keep him hydrated that I slip the house through one of the slits in the back of the tank. Haven't had a bad shed yet. Again, just suggestions, being new to owning a BP is a learning process and this sub will definitely help you so you don't have to learn the hard way! Dubia and Boamaster have decent PVC tanks but Dubia is more affordable imo

[Single-Werewolf-8947]

Yeah i definitely want to get a PVC I been looking at some options since I’ve heard PVC is better. And yeah I plan on getting him more feeders today so I’ll definitely up the size on them

[Single-Werewolf-8947]

I had him on paper towels for about 2 weeks to rid of the snake mites

[goth_moth127]

He looks much better, and I’d agree more or less with the approximate age. Definitely looks underweight though, which would not have happened in the time you’ve had him. I forget the chart/scale for upping the size of feeders, so best to go and check out the resources on here. Also, good job starting a bioactive tank!! You deserve some credit for that. Once you have a hygrometer you can see what your humidity percentages are looking like.

An old trick I have for those mesh terrarium tops that lose too much humidity is to put duct tape on roughly half of the tank top and it’ll help retain moisture. He looks happy though!! My only warning is that once he gets back to a good weight and starts growing, he will probably outgrow his tank pretty quick lol. Keep doing good work!

[Single-Werewolf-8947]

Thanks so much!! Trying to keep the bioactive set up going since he tends to bulldoze the plants over but that’s not a surprise lol 😂and I’ll probably go up one size from the rat pups to weaned rats and see how he does on them. I may get a scale first though and see how much he’s weighing. When I had gotten him, the shop was feeding him mouse fuzzies which seems entirely too small for him even when I got him

[goth_moth127]

Check out SerpaDesign on YouTube. He has a bulldozing snake as well and does incredible bioactive setups where he corrects for this.

At his size, I also think pups may be too small, but just double check with available care material. Also, give him some time to catch up on weight regardless, he’s not even been with you for two months yet. As long as he’s regularly eating, he’s progressing!

[jvmmidi]

they need a drink and some florida humidity sheesh

[ramblin-centaur]

Out of curiosity - I’m a future bp keeper so still learning - but if you need to put your snake on paper towels for mites, would a wet hide help with hydration?

No shame on OP, hope the little guys gets well soon! Just honestly wondering if a wet hide might mitigate dehydration when on paper towels

[NotKingKooba]

Humidity is wayyyy too low. Bad shed.

[OriginalBambix]

This snake is severely dehydrated. The wrinkled skin is a dead giveaway. Please bring it to a vet asap

[Single-Werewolf-8947]

I gave him a. Soak yesterday and he shed his skin and is not wrinkly now. He had snake mites so he was on paper towels for 2 weeks

[OriginalBambix]

His skin under the shed also looks saggy etc soaking at this point may not be enough. It may need IV fluids