Is my BP burned or just near shed?

Hello, I just got a new ball python yesterday, my first snake, and the reptile shop I got it from (The Reptile Room) gave me all the supplies they said I would need including an Exo Terra Desert Heat Mat. I asked if I needed a thermostat having had read about how they could get too hot and burn the snake in these forums, but they said these ones wouldn't get hot enough. Against my better judgement I went along with it, and the little guy has now been in his new tank for a full day. I've felt where I put the heat mat and it doesn't feel too hot, but when my bp is crawling around looking for escape options his stomach looks slightly pink and that worries me greatly. I know that that can also be a sign he's near shed, but I have no idea how to tell the difference, I attach some pictures so you guys can maybe help me out. I also just ordered a thermostat, but it won't be here until Wednesday.

With flash:
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1579/...d60ec0f9_c.jpg
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1693/...3531dbf0_c.jpg
Without Flash:
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1686/...7179b796_c.jpg
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5644/...f2b03228_c.jpg

It doesn't look like an injury to me. It may just be the clearness of the belly that is showing pink. Or if the bedding has any colorants, sometimes that stains too.

In my opinion, it looks just fine. I would still put a thermostat on any heat source, just to be safe.

Looks like he's going into shed to me. It'll be easy to tell in the next few days, as his eyes should go blue

1) That looks like the start of a shed cycle.

2) Get a thermostat, I'm actually rather surprised a retail store didn't take the opportunity to sell one and make more money.

Well thank god, lol. Hopefully his first shed with me goes well. For future reference, do any of you know what a burn would look like compared to the beginning signs of shedding? Like what the differences would be?

A burn typically looks almost like a rusty red dirt smudge in the beginning. It's not usually subtle.

I caught my male BP with a red belly the other day. I've seen pinking, but never that red before - all-over flush, not patches. Usually the red seems to mean that they're going into blue, and then will shed... but he'd looked like he was getting ready to shed for several days before the red belly. He shed the next day, a nice, intact moist shed... and typically managed to roll it into a compact ball, which I tore while unrolling to examine it for eye caps and tail tip. Yours looks a lot like his did. His belly looks just fine now.

I agree that it just looks like he's going into shed. Get a thermostat though so you won't get burns.

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