Sick Ball Python

[MamaIvy]

I have a mated pair of Balls that I traded my Rosy Boa for as the Boa was a bitey snake and even though she was so small my kids were afraid of her. The balls are 4 years old and the male is sick. He is stretched out across the enclosure and his eyes are grey, I'm so worried about him, any ideas? It's 102 degrees here.

[Aercadia]

102 is WAY HOT for a BP to endure for any extended period of time. The hot side of his enclosure should be around 90.

His eyes might be gray because he's going into shed... if you post pics, someone might be able to tell you for sure. What other symptoms are there that lead you to believe that he's sick?

[PitOnTheProwl]

First best bet is to tell us what your husbandry is like.
What are you using for heat and WHY is it 102 in there???

[MamaIvy]

He's doing better, I think he's just shedding.
I had an under tank heating pad as well as the lamp.
I had only had the pad on as it has no on and off switch when it was so hot but I'm pretty sure he's shedding.
The tank was registering at between 92 and 97 but it was 102 degrees outside.
I unplugged the pad and left no heat source for the rest of the day and he rolled off of he side.
A friend of mine with ALOT more experience told me that Balls usually act like they're dying when they are trying to shed, is that true?
Also, I've not turned the heat pad back on and only have the one lamp on now.

PitontheProwl what do you mean by husbandry? His breed?

[DVirginiana]

Husbandry is just the care of an animal; housing, temps, feeding, ect. That info will help us give you advice.

None of my snakes, BP included, have ever looked like they're about to die when they're shedding... If you feel like something is off, IMO it's better to trust your instincts.

97 is a bit high for a BP. My hotspot never gets above 92, and typically stays at 90. It sounds like you may not have your heat pad hooked up to a thermostat (it's basically a box with a probe that you place between the heat pad and the bottom of the tank). If you don't, leave the heat pad unplugged until you can get one; at 102 degrees outside I doubt he'll get too cold in the meantime. The brand I use is Hydrofarm. Not the absolute best on the market, but it gets the job done and isn't as crazy expensive as some of the others out there. The thermostat keeps the heat pad from getting too hot (being stretched out all the way for a long period isn't really normal for a BP, I think he was probably overheating a bit) and will turn it off if something malfunctions and it starts getting way too hot. Without one, you WILL eventually end up with a burned snake.

[PitOnTheProwl]

PitontheProwl what do you mean by husbandry? His breed?

1st find a new friend............... SMH

Then review this Caresheet

[MamaIvy]

Thanks for the link, much clearer information than I've found elsewhere.