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pink underbelly

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  • 10-09-2007, 12:51 AM
    mo1384
    pink underbelly
    My ball python is showing some pinkish/red color on his underbelly. Is this an early sign of an infection? He is not due to shed for another couple weeks.
  • 10-09-2007, 12:52 AM
    nevohraalnavnoj
    Re: pink underbelly
    as they are growing it's normal for their shed schedule to be kinda weird, they can catch you by surprise sometimes. it doesn't sound like anything to worry about.

    JonV
  • 10-09-2007, 02:15 AM
    Het4Something
    Re: pink underbelly
    that happens most of the time because they are sitting directly underneath a heatpad, try to make the substrate a little thicker if u want, but its not a huge deal unless the scales start to bubble.
  • 10-09-2007, 02:21 AM
    dr del
    Re: pink underbelly
    Hi,

    Just to say increasing the depth of the substrate is an ineffective way of preventing a snake getting burnt - they are perfectly capable of burrowing down to the heatpad.

    The best solution, by far, is to have the heatsource controlled so that it never gets hot enough to harm the snake at all.

    However the main thing to remember is that it is entirely possible it is only shedding but that if it is a burn then it should be treated.


    dr del
  • 10-09-2007, 02:32 AM
    mo1384
    Re: pink underbelly
    Thanks everyone for the advice. The tanks UTH is only warm to the touch, and the heat gradient is 95 on the warm side. I added more substrate, I think I was keeping it too moist.
  • 10-09-2007, 04:12 AM
    MarkS
    Re: pink underbelly
    It means it's getting ready to shed.... Thats all, don't read too much into it.
  • 10-09-2007, 06:04 AM
    bearhart
    Re: pink underbelly
    Mine always gets a pink belly a week or two before shed. I wouldn't go mucking with your setup just yet.
  • 10-09-2007, 12:42 PM
    Ginevive
    Re: pink underbelly
    If their belly is becoming pink from the heat pad, there is something wrong. The temps that you should keep them at, will not cause thermal burns and pink bellies. If your under tank heater is causing burns, it needs to be better regulated by a top-notch thermostat. Many snakes do get a pink belly before a shed though.. that is normal and fine.
  • 10-09-2007, 12:46 PM
    PythonWallace
    Re: pink underbelly
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by mo1384
    Thanks everyone for the advice. The tanks UTH is only warm to the touch, and the heat gradient is 95 on the warm side. I added more substrate, I think I was keeping it too moist.

    If the substrate is wet, it could also be the beginning of an infection or belly rot. The substrate shouldn't be wet.
  • 10-09-2007, 10:08 PM
    bearhart
    Re: pink underbelly
    Humidity-wise my BP's tank runs 45-55 most of the time. occasionally, I mist when it gets low and to let him drink off the glass if he wants. I only really mist heavily in the period after his blue-eyes clear up before shedding.

    There could be something more seriously wrong but if it was my snake and he was maybe only a couple of weeks pre-shed his belly would look like he got a sunburn or scalded.

    If you can burrow your hand down to the glass in the warmest part of the cage, and keep it there without any significant discomfort, then I would doubt your snake is burned. But, this is assuming that you aren't seeing any other symptoms mentioned here. One sign that your snake is getting too warm is a tendency for it to suddenly leave its hide and find the coolest spot in the cage (such as pressed up against the glass) and just park there.

    I would just keep a close eye on his belly and, if it doesn't get any worse, just wait and see if it clears up after shed. The first time I noticed this I agonized over it for a couple of weeks and, sure enough, his belly turned white as snow as soon as he shed.
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