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My Pet Python

Ball Python Care, Snake Facts, & More

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November 29, 2012 By Elise Xavier

Havana’s Pre-Shedding Ritual

Over the past week, Havana’s been sleeping outside her hide, pressed up against the glass in the corner of her enclosure. Her skin is now duller, and her eyes have become a cloudy blue.

ball python sleeping outside of hide before shed

Thomas and I have kept the humidity in her tank high so that she finds the shedding process easier. We folded a large towel, placing it over the half of the enclosure that her hide is on, and I keep this wet and moist at all times. This is necessary since it’s currently the winter here and the humidity in the air is much lower than it was in the autumn.

royal python with blue eye before shedding

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When ball pythons shed, many breeders suggest increasing the humidity to make sure they have an easier time with the shedding process. Although the humidity in a ball python’s enclosure should never reach below 50%, most breeders recommend keeping humidity at least 15% higher when your snake is shedding. This means that the ideal humidity for a snake in shed is somewhere between 65-75%. Some breeders even suggest keeping humidity as high as 75-80%, so if your snake appears to be having problems with shedding, you can always try to knock the humidity up just a bit higher to help him or her out.

Filed Under: Ball Python Daily Life, Ball Python Pet Care, Shedding

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About Elise Xavier

Love reptiles, especially ball pythons - I think they're some of the most stunning pets on the block! Started My Pet Python as a place to house all pet care information I learned when I first adopted my ball python, Havana; hope the research here is able to help others along the way.

I also have a cat blog and publish on a number of other topics - you can check out my other blogs here if you're interested.

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Ball Python Pet Care Site My Pet Python

Hi, I'm Elise! I created My Pet Python when I first adopted my pet snake: an adult ball python named Havana. The site is a compilation of research I dug up: guides on proper ball python care, tips for choosing a pet python, a variety of snake facts, and many other miscellaneous snake-related articles. Learn more about My Pet Python here.

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Writing and photography by Elise Xavier.