Some weird BP problems! Getting worried - Please help!!
I have a male BP about 2 yrs old who I adopted from a good friend who has a whole bunch of snakes. He was a pretty good eater for my buddy and has eaten twice for me - once the first week I had him and then nothing for 6 weeks then ate once again. He has since then not eaten in about 4.5 months, appears to be losing some weight. He hasn't shed at all in the 6 months I've had him. Rather, his lower-sides and belly have random scales (relatively few but at least twenty or more) which are curling up. There is no discolouration to these scales and they don't appear unhealthy in any way except for the curling on the trailing edge.
Some weird BP problems! Getting worried - Please help!!
Further to previous post,
Cage is 12x12x30"
Bedding is aspen
Hot spot is from a light on a dimmer. DT temp 80 on the floor and 90 in the tree under the light.
Cool side has a hide where he spends most of his time stays a pretty constant 72. Humidity is between 45-65% sometimes higher but I don't let it get below 45%
Aside from the lack of appetite and the weird looking scales and no shedding, he seems happy, doesn't mind being handled, hides out all day, poking head out occasionally, basks in the tree for hours in the evening.
I'm aware that BP's can go a long time without eating and that it could just be a phase or winter or any of dozens of other harmless explanations, but it's been 4 months of no eating or shedding and the weird look of those scales has me kinda worried.
I would appreciate any feedback anyone could provide. Thanks
Some weird BP problems! Getting worried - Please help!!
Some weird BP problems! Getting worried - Please help!!
Cool. Thank you very much - I actually have a uth but no stat. It's very small and doesn't seem to do much warming under just 1" of aspen. I have a digital thermo as well with a probe - display is on the wall outside of frame. On your recommendation, ill move the light over to the cool side n get the temp up. Will use the uth to warm the ground on the warm side n see if things change with his appetite. As for the skin issue, I've seen him drinking on more than a few occasions and he's never out of water. Should I maybe try n soak him? How warm for how long?
Some weird BP problems! Getting worried - Please help!!
So I've added a thermostat to my uth and made the warm end more "hidey" by covering the structure with plants. The floor temp is a stable 90F. I picked up a ceramic heat emitter and have that on a dimmer as well. I've placed the fixture over the Center/right of the enclosure and covered the screen on the top with space left for ventilation. Cool side is now regulated to 75 overnight and 83 through the day.
Humidity is between 45 and 60%.
Fingers are crossed. I usually attempt to feed on Weds evenings. Here's hoping. Thanks fellas! I really appreciate the help.