How Often Do Ball Pythons Shed Fascinating Snake Facts For Kids

All snake species shed their skin as they grow in size, allowing new skin to replace it.A ball python’s shedding process is largely dependent on its growth and overall health. Shedding can take a long time so if you own a ball python, you will have to lend a helping hand.Snakes, in general, evoke a sense of fear in people’s minds as they can be quite scary, deadly, and poisonous. However, what makes the ball python cute is that it is neither deadly nor big like other snake species. This species is not even considered to be dangerous as they used to be worn as jewelry during ancient times which is why they also go by the name ‘royal python’! If you own a ball python, it is essential to know how frequently your ball python sheds to take care of it better. As your snake grows, it needs to shed its outer skin or old skin so that newer skin can replace it. Therefore, since shedding happens because of changes in the size of the snake due to growth, young snakes shed more often than adult snakes.A young ball python is known to shed its skin every three to four weeks while an adult ball python will shed every four to six weeks. A healthy python that has a good diet, eats regularly, and lives in a warm environment will shed about four to six weeks normally. If your pet snake faces any trauma or has an infection, it will shed its skin faster and much more often. In rare cases, if your python is not healthy and is not growing too, it will shed only two to three times in a year. When ball pythons reach their physical maturity at three to five years of age, the shedding begins to become less frequent since their growth slows down too. The food they eat also affects their growth rate which in turn influences the frequency of the shedding process.You can indicate or detect when the shedding process happens in your ball python. Once you detect these changes, you have to shift them to a more suitable environment or modify their current environment to accommodate this natural process. If the right and proper enclosure is not provided for your ball python, it will become stressed or agitated so make sure to recognize the signs when your pet reptile will begin the shedding process for you to provide the best possible care. There are three major signs to look out for.One is that that the belly area of your snake will turn pink in color. Your pet’s skin will become to take on a more dull yet darker color. Finally, your snake’s eyes will look opaque and milky. The phase where your snake’s eyes turn milky is called the ‘blue phase’. Once you notice your reptile’s eyes begin to clear up, their skin will start shedding in the next 36-72 hours. The next important role for you to play is to make sure that your pet snake is comfortable because this process can make it anxious and even aggressive. So as your pet snake sheds its skin, do not touch it or lift it. Check and see if the humidity levels in your snake’s enclosure or cage are high enough as this makes the shedding process easier.If the humidity level in the cage or enclosure is not even coming up to 0%, you could place a water bowl or dish that is large enough with a humidity holding material or substrate like an orchid bark substrate to keep the environment of your snake warm and humid. You could also place some damp towels in its cage to keep it moist. Sometimes, ball pythons may struggle with shedding skin. In such cases, it is perfectly okay for you to lend a helping hand.You can gently put your snake in a pillowcase or cloth bag that is damp and tie it shut. Then, place this closed bag under any type of heat lamp for up to two hours. When it emerges out of this enclosure, the skin will be completely off. You can spray mist in the form of lukewarm water on your snake to ease and aid in this process. If you notice your ball python is still facing some sort of difficulty in shedding its skin, immediately consult a vet.If you enjoyed this article on how often do ball pythons shed, be sure to check out our other articles on how long do cats live and how long do rabbits live that are sure to keep you on your toes!Why do ball pythons shed?If this is your first time owning a ball python, you must be wondering when and how frequently will your reptile shed. In general, healthy ball pythons that eat their food regularly will shed their skin every four to six weeks.As young snakes, they shed their skin as often as every month or 30 days whereas adult snakes shed their skin every 45-60 days. Ball pythons shed their skin because it gives them more room to grow. It is a very natural yet important process! As their body grows in size and length, the outer old skin will start shedding completely and newer skin replaces it. This is why young ball pythons shed their skin more often than older snakes. This skin shedding process that is very common in snakes and many other reptiles is called ecdysis or molting where the old skin sheds off revealing a brand new layer of skin underneath.The major reason why these creatures shed their skin is because of rapid growth which means that they grow very quickly especially when they are young. Ball pythons and other snakes shed often because they originate from hot and humid places or environments. As a result, you should provide your pet snake with a similar or closely related environment when it starts its shedding process so look out for indicators or signs.If at any stage of this shedding process you find your snake struggling or facing some difficulty, you can lend a helping hand. If you find your snake shedding incompletely, you can soak it in a bowl of shallow water as this will allow the remaining skin to come off. Always be careful in general to not overhandle your snake as this will lead it to shed more often. This whole event is very interesting or rather fascinating to watch because the ball python will shed all its skin on one piece itself.How often does a ball python shed?A ball python that is in good health and does not have any sort of injury or trauma will usually shed its skin every four to six weeks. The frequency at which these ball pythons shed their outer skin is largely dependent on the snake’s individual growth rate as well as their metabolism.A ball python or any other snake for that matter sheds its skin when it grows but problems may arise in this process when your snake faces some stress. Ball pythons shed for the first time a week after they are born. If you find your ball python not shedding as frequently or often as it should, it is because it might be experiencing some infection, trauma, injury, or is just unhealthy. Your pet ball python should shed its skin in one piece starting from the head. If you notice this not happening, gently soak your snake’s body in a bowl of lukewarm water and the rest of the reptile skin will come off.Make sure that the water level is high enough to slightly submerge your snake and ensure that your snake does not drown. Some signs to know when your snake will start shedding is when its belly turns pink, the eyes become cloudy, bluish, and opaque, and the overall skin becomes a dark yet dull color. This is also called the ‘blue phase’. Keep your ball python’s stress level low during this stage as it sheds. If at any stage you feel that there is something wrong with your python, get them to the nearest vet immediately.Within five to six days, the snake’s eyes will become clear again and the python will seek a rough covering to rub itself against. This whole process will normally take about two weeks. When this snake reaches a physical maturity at the age of three and five years, the rate at which it grows will decrease gradually and your snake sheds less often.How to know when a ball python is going to shed?Snakes as pets can be quite challenging to look after since they are different from the rest of the kinds of pets we normally own. There are subtle ball python shedding signs you need to look out for to know when your ball python is going to shed.When the shedding process is going to start, your ball python’s behavior will be a little different. Their skin will take on a darker yet dull color, the eyes will get a blue-tinge and look opaque or milky. Their bellies will turn pink in color. Other signs to look out for in the behavior of your snake is that it will display a loss of appetite as well as aggressive behavior whenever you approach it. Therefore, it is best to minimize all touching as much as you can unless it needs or requires your assistance when it sheds.By any chance, if your snake is shedding its skin partially, make sure to slightly soak the snake’s body in shallow water as this will allow the rest of the skin to peel off. If your snake is too long to shed, it could indicate ill health so at this time, get your ball python to the nearest veterinarian. These reptile pets need a proper environment with high humidity levels to help speed up their shedding. Ensure that this space is always clean during the shedding process as the presence of any bacteria or mites can lead to the development of infections during this time which is something you need to avoid.How long does it take a ball python to shed?The entire shedding process in these reptile pets usually lasts for a period of two weeks. Let your snake go through this process naturally and as much as it might be tempting or satisfying for you to peel off its skin, do not do it as it can cause injuries to your python.You can always aid your python in this process by either keeping the humidity levels in its enclosure intact by placing a bowl of water near it or by keeping an orchid bark substrate in its space. Any disruptions in its space can stress it out or get it anxious so make sure that it has a comfortable shedding area. As your python becomes older with age and reaches a physical maturity, the shedding will become less frequent as it’ll stop growing. If you face any problems with your ball python, consult a vet as soon as possible.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for how often do ball pythons shed then why not take a look at how long do pugs live, or why do dogs lick themselves that you are sure to love.

All snake species shed their skin as they grow in size, allowing new skin to replace it.