Pink areas on my snakes belly

[sandersnd44]

Quick question. I have had my pastel for about 2 weeks now he has eaten once each week. While handling him today I noticed some light pink areas on his stomach. I know they turn pink before shed from all that I have read but wasn't sure if the whole belly does or not. He is in a 10 gallon tank with uth temps on hot side( probe on the bottom glass under substrate) reads around 95 although I have seen it hit 98. Cool side 80 to 85 controlled by a rheostat. Substrate is a jungle earth. No picks right now sorry. Just wondering if it is normal or not. Googleing pink snake belly just yells scale rot at you which I doubt it is. Guess that wasn't so quick lol.

[newport]

ive notice the same on my bps belly but never gave any thought to it. I also wonder if thats normal as well.

[sandersnd44]

I'm a licensed lpn. Not that that makes me qualified in snake but the scales look normal so I'm doubting that it's something serious just a change I noticed. I'm a new owner and haven't had one go through shed so not exactly sure what to expect when they say pink belly.

[Alexandra V]

First off to the OP, those temps are pretty hot. You really want it at 78-80 on the cool side (never ever lower than 75) and 88-90 (no higher than 92) on the hot side. It could be the snake just going into shed, but that is usually on the entire belly. If it's in blotches, then I'd guess mild burn (maybe your thermometer isn't reading right)or mild scale rot. Pictures as soon as you can get them are the only way we'd be really able to help you definitively.

Are you using a heat source on the cool side too? or is the rheostat you mentioned on the uth on the hot side?

[sandersnd44]

Uth is only on one side. I actual have to of them plugged into the rheostat. Both tanks have a accurate thermometer. But one tank reads lower then the other. Thought that wad weird considering it's the same rheostat. figured I was losing about 2 degrees as it goes through the substrate also humidity is between 55 to 65. But I will turn the heat down. And see if I can get some pics.

[sandersnd44]

[sandersnd44]

Any thoughts on what this could be?? The more I research the more confused I get.

[mommanessy247]

i dont see pink on those belly scales, i see slight brown-ish. it could just be the quality of the pics, no offense, but that does not scream shed belly to me. plus by the time my girl's belly is pink her skin is really dull. heck, once i notice the really dull skin i check the belly.

[Alexandra V]

I'm not getting shed belly from that either. It could be some scale problem that's very mild just beginning. Maybe try setting her up with paper towels as substrate, keep the cage very clean and watch your temps like a hawk until she next sheds and hope it sheds away and doesn't worsen.

[ogdentrece]

I've seen this before. My BP had it when he was sitting on an overheating floor for a couple of hours. It's not the entire belly because when they're all wrapped up in their hides, only some sections would be touching the floor. Your temperatures look a little high for the hotspot, 95 average with it hitting 98 is a tad high, although it doesn't outright burn them, it overheats them and its not good internally. Mine got slightly pink after sitting on 98-99 for a couple of hours. You can turn down your heating to 92, its warm enough and leaves room for the 2degree inaccuracy.