My ball python is acting strange, please help!?

Question

I have had my ball python for about 3 months. He has always been extremely active and loves to be held and messed with. Lately, he has been acting extremely lethargic. When I take him out he will lay on me and do nothing unless I rub his back and then he will uncurl and curl, kind of like petting a dog. When I put him on the floor instead of trying to crawl away to explore he just lays there and stares at me. He doesn't move around in his cage. He has also taken on a dull color and the caps over his eyes are ashy colored. My husband says he's getting ready to shed and he'll be fine. But he is not acting anything like the snake I used to have. Is this normal for a ball python to become inactive and to behave strangely before shedding or could he be displaying signs of something else?

Answer 1

My BP Stan is also very active but when he gets about to shed he goes in his hide and likes to just be left alone.  Remember, when they start to shed and their eyes get milky it makes them uneasy because they can't see.  I'm betting its the shed.

Answer 2

It sounds to me like he is going to shed his skin.  Once he sheds, you will see that he is back to normal.

Answer 3

like others said, he is shedding and will be normal when they have shed. my snakes do the same. i just dont take them out while shedding. its likely they will strike. just wait til he sheds

Answer 4

it sounds like hes going to shed...but if your really worried go to the vets...this is the first time he has shed in 3 months!??? becuase my snake sheds once a month...if he hasnt shed the whole time you have got him then maybe you need to feed him more

Answer 5

I have a ball python and when he is about to shed he isnt very active. Are you sure there is enough heat? Make sure he has enough water in the tank so he can fully sumberge himself. They like a temp around 80-90

Answer 6

If the temps are decent (aprox 90 degrees) and he is eating, then its just the shed.  Snakes act strangely when they shed, mainly because of the clouded eye caps.  When a snakes eye caps are clouded they pretty much become temporarily blind, so they're a little confused and scared.  They wont really want to explore and can often become jumpy and strikey.  

Answer 7

he is just about to shed.  they don't really like to do much (including being held) while they are shedding.  a day or two before he sheds he will go back to his normal coloration and then he will shed.  it can take 2 or 2 1/2 weeks for the whole process.

Answer 8

If his skin looks the same/normal, and just the eye lenses are clouded, this can be the indication of a health problem, and he will need to see the vet.

If you don’t already know of a qualified exotics/reptile vet in your area, google: “Herpetological Society” -or-

<>http://www.herpvetconnection.com/> for the one closest to you.

If the skin has an 'odd sheen,' or is dull looking, then he most likely is entering a shed.

It is best not to handle the snake if it's pre-shed. Some can become quite nippy, and will strike at any movement when their vision is impaired during the shedding process. Also, you can damage the separating skin, and cause an impartial shed.

Wait a week or so, to be sure it is a shed. Leave the snake alone, and increase the humidity in its tank by 10%. You can use a mist/spray bottle, or a cool steam steamer.

Provide a large ceramic crock/bowl for him to soak in. Make sure its large enough for the snake to coil comfortably in. Fill it 1/2 way, so he won't overflow it when he crawls in to soak.

Provide a wooden hide, or ceramic climbing limb for him to start his shed on.

I hope this has been helpful.