Strange Discoloration

[Ktzero3]

Soooo I've noticed something weird is going on with Balthazar. When light is shone on him, I can almost see a rainbow on his black spots.

This is a comparison between the snake in the Shedding FAQ and Balthazar...


Notice the area around his head, neck. Sorry for the bad photo.

Do "normal" BPs have rainbowy black areas? I mean ALL of his black spots are like that, and he has been refusing food for the second week in a row since I got him... been two and a half weeks since the last time he's eaten. What do you guys think? Is he shedding?

[SatanicIntention]

It's just irridescence, and is very normal especially in snakes that have just shed. If you look at Brazilian Rainbow Boas, they have a very large amount of irridescent coloration. I have some pictures of the Ball Pythons, boa and corn snakes if you want to see. Very pretty boy you have there

He doesn't look like he's shedding. Is he dark, have a pink belly, eyes bluish? How is his enclosure set up(temps, humidity, how many hides, what size enclosure and what type of enclosure, etc) and what are you offering him as prey and when?

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

It is cool! And normal!

bleh my pic is too big

http://www.glassreptiles.com/bryan/cool.jpg

[Ktzero3]

SnakeySnakeSnake: NICE picture!! Yar its kinda like that. I guess it's not a clear indication of shedding huh...

SatanicIntention: Pictures of the enclosure can be found here. Basically, he's in a 30 gallon glass aquarium with Zoo Med UTH and overhead light, both on dimmers. 92 on warm side, 82 on cold side, measured with a temp gun. Two hides, large waterbowl and a branch.

I've tried feeding live rat pups twice, once in different enclosure, once in tank. Just now, I tried feeding a mouse fuzzy about the same size as a rat pup, also live in his enclosure. He didn't really show any interest... I took the mouse out after it started... burrowing under him.

The thing about it is that he seems to like his hide a whole lot, and that is one of the things I read on the shedding FAQ. He never seems to go out of his hide. When I first received him, I thought he might've had a pink belly but honestly, I don't even know what his normal belly looks like... same with his coloration.

Some additional information... he was hatched on August 30th and he last shed about a month ago on November 26th.

[SatanicIntention]

That tank looks very open and not secure for a baby Ball. I keep my babies(5) in 15qt plastic tubs and they shed perfect, eat every week, and like to tell me to "Hiss Off..".

I would try bumping up the temps to 94/84(That's where I keep mine), and keep them steady with no fluctuations. Then, cover the sides and bottom of the tank with some 3/4" styrofoam insulation board. This will help keep it insulated against drafts and make him feel more secure. Also, you may want to fill the tank to the top with loosely crumpled newspaper and leave him completely(and I mean COMPLETELY) alone for a week. Only change his water and check for urates/feces, and check temps of course. You may also want to get smaller hides as those don't look very secure(a bit big). I use plastic or clay 4" pot saucers(sit under the planter pot to catch water). Knock or cut a hole in the side of two of them and use those instead.

I like to use the 4" saucers until they start to turtle them and carry them around the tub. Then they get 5-6" ones

After he settles in for a week with the newspaper balls, higher temps and insulated tank, offer him a small adult mouse. Make sure the room is dark, pre-scent for about 30 minutes to an hour, and then place the mouse on the opposite end of the enclosure. Then leave him alone for about 15-20 minutes. if he doesn't take it, take it out and wait until next week.

I have an '05 female who is only a mouse eater. She is only around 300g(thin but not skinny). She wouldn't eat consistently in a 28qt tub, so I moved her to a 15qt to see if the smaller space would help her feel more secure. She doesn't get handled but once per week to change her substrate. She might eat one mouse every 2-3 weeks... Turd. The other 7 Balls eat like it's going out of style and pound the mice until I stop offering(fatties..).

Try changing around the enclosure(or even switching to a tub until he eats consistently) and giving him a week. No handling... He should turn around for you, hopefully.