Ball Python Shedding Guide

• Eyes turn blue/milky (eye caps filling with fluid)
• Skin color becomes dull and pink/grayish
• Reduced activity and appetite — completely normal
• May become defensive or irritable — do not handle
• Blue phase lasts 3-5 days, then eyes clear before actual shed

• Boost ambient humidity to 70-80%+ during shed cycle
• Ensure humid hide is freshly moistened with damp sphagnum moss
• Offer a large shallow soaking dish — snakes often soak before shedding
• Do not handle or disturb during blue phase
• Provide rough surfaces (cork bark, rocks) to help snake get purchase

Stuck shed is almost always caused by low humidity. Retained shed constricts around toes, tail tip, and eye caps, cutting off circulation and causing permanent damage.

• Check toes, tail tip, and eye caps after every shed
• Retained eye caps: do NOT pick at them — seek vet assistance
• Retained body shed: soak in shallow lukewarm water 15-20 minutes
• Gently remove loosened shed with damp cloth — never force
• Address root cause: increase humidity and check humid hide

• Inspect the shed — it should be one complete piece
• Check that eye caps are present in the shed (two small circles)
• If eye caps are missing, retained caps may still be on the snake
• Wait 48-72 hours before handling after a successful shed
• Resume normal feeding schedule

• Hatchlings: every 3-4 weeks (growing rapidly)
• Juveniles: every 4-6 weeks
• Adults: every 6-12 weeks
• Frequency slows significantly as growth slows
• More frequent sheds in young snakes are completely normal