Greetings & Questions!

[ibbu]

Hello All.

I recently got Bella almost a month and a half ago. She's been nothing short of the most pleasant and well tempered snake. Since then, she's eaten 5 times (live rat pups) and pooped twice. However, she has not yet shed and frankly it's making me a little anxious as she is fairly young. I'm unsure of her exact age as the reptile store I picked her up from didn't keep track of normals.

I've noticed that her belly is a little pink, but as this is my only snake, I'm really unsure. I was hoping someone would be able to tell me if it's a pre-shed belly or not?

Lastly, I've attached a picture of her in her tank (10gal). Is she getting too big for this?

Thanks!

http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/...0619-03800.jpg

http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/...0619-03799.jpg

http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/...0619-03794.jpg

http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/...0619-03803.jpg

[Quantum Constrictors]

Welcome!

Well the pink could be because she is going into shed or she has a burn from the UTH. Does your UTH have a thermo or rheostat? The tank should have 2 hides one on the cool side one on the hot side. I cant tell but is the lid secure? because it will get out if it is not.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Looks like she is going into shed... Time to increase the humidity to 60% or higher.

The tank is still fine. I do have a few concerns.

How are you heating the cage? If you are using a heating pad is it regulated?

Check out these threads:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...04#post1845904

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

[ibbu]

Now this is why I started to get worried. I only got her on her thermostat today. For the past month I've had the heat pad insulated using foam and plexiglass, and it seemed to give me the right temperatures of 90-95. However at nights, it dropped quite low and she recently started to borrow under and I was afraid it would get too hot. I ordered the thermostat ASAP and got that plugged in. Before setting it up, I compared the readings of two thermostats (ordered one for a friend) and my thermometer. My thermometer was several degrees below the two t-stats. Perhaps I didn't give it enough time to catch up, but it's now got me thinking it's been a lot hotter than it should have been.

And yes, the lid is secure. I believe she's over her trying to escape phase anyhow.

I realize my mistake of trying to take the cheaper way out and need advice to help correct things.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Well no matter what your snake will be fine, if it is a burn it is a very minor one and will heal. You will know if it is a shed or not in the next few days. Raise the humidity just in case. If her eyes turn blue she is shedding.

[ibbu]

Awesome.

Tank's humidity is steady around 70% without misting. I appreciate the quick replies.

Cheers.

[SRMD]

95? isnt the max 92?

[Vypyrz]

Hello. and :welcome to BP.net...

However, she has not yet shed and frankly it's making me a little anxious as she is fairly young.

Snakes live at their own pace, at the expense of their keepers, who often pay with angst and worry...

And yes, the lid is secure. I believe she's over her trying to escape phase anyhow.

There is no such thing as a "trying to escape phase." Every day is a new day, and a new chance to exploit any deficiencies in their environment or momentary lapses in supervision. If given the chance, they will run for it...

[sprockett]

Looks to me like your little Bp ingoing to be shedding soon...ip your humidity to 70%....moss or misting works great....let us know when she sheds

[Gio]

There is some good info out there to read up on for sheds and such. I bought "The Complete Ball Python" a book by Kevin McCurley.

I'm waiting for my son's snake to shed. We are getting ready for feed #3 soon. The other signs I've read about are a dull look to the skin, and sometimes scale separation. Others can chime in here as I'm NOT even close to an expert.

You could set up a humid hide if you think a shed is close. Let me know what happens because we are still waiting for a shed.

Hope your thermostat works well. I was given advice to get a Herpstat II for my son's setup. I couldn't be happier with the results!!