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The Scales of Python regius

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The diffrence between 2 of my Balls.
smatra (on the right) has pretty normal pattern, the other one is what can be called "odd ball".

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The Ecdysis

Ecdysis is the process of molting or shedding the outer layer of skin.
Snakes shed their skin all at once, similar to how a person might take off a
stocking. Shedding, as it is more often referred to, occurs more frequently
in the younger more quickly growing pythons than in the older pythons whose
growth has slowed. Growth, however, is not the only factor in the frequency of
shedding. Other factors such as injury and stress can also trigger a shed.

 • • • We had some discussions about shedding problems in the snake lovers forum
    and i thought i should write something about it;
   
    It might happen that the snake doesnt shed in one piece.
    Causes therefor can be vitamin deficiency, or too low air humidity.
    (You can get vitamin additions specific for snakes in petshops!)
    It is helpful to spray more often with lukewarm water when u notice your snake is about to shed;
    Maybe 2 times the day to reach a more high humidity.
    Furthermore you can give the snake a lukewarm bath for about 10 - 15 minutes!
   
    I have so called "wet boxes" in most of my snake cages. its a plastic
    box i cut a whole as entrance on the cover and put wet reptile moss
    inside it. some of my snakes dont use the normal hiding place, they
    are always in the wet box, they love wet hideouts. And as a matter of
    course they shedd inside there.

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The process of shedding

taking a bath will help to get rid of the old skin
a high air humidity is important in the shedding days.


they peel off the old skin
by climning on rough stones or branches

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THE OLD SKIN

This is the head,or the "face" of the ballpython.


This is face and lower jaw (on the left)


head and neck


the whole skin


the scales of the old skin

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FOR COMPARISON

Smatras old skin



zertos old skin

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the lower side

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THE NEW SKIN

when the skin is new it ratiocinates the light and has an rainbow glimmer

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back to snake lovers

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gez.[Nyaah*]

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