Help with my BP

I am concerned with the state of my BP.

Her cage is a 30 gal with a hide on eather side, one side has a heating lamp that shines on a hide and a basking rock I have in place. The temp of the heated side stays around 85-90 F, i also have a pad heater under the heated side to make the bottom of the heat hide warmer.

The unheated side stays around 75-80 and the humidity is around 55-60 at all times. She has a large water dish that she can submerge herself in.

I am concerned because I never see her drink or soak, She never goes into the heated side, always on the cool. And she recently went blue and was about to shed. I woke up this morning and she no longer has her bluish tent or eye caps but there is no skin in the cage.

I tried giving her a bath but this did not do anything, she also started breathing funny with little pops. She also opens her mouth a lot to *yawn* but she does not keep it open or gasp for air while she is yawning.

She is eating well and has never had a problem doing so, she doesnt seem stressed.

What is the problem?

Do you have the heating pad connected to a thermostat? It may be getting to hot without one. Your snake should shed in the next couple of days. Their skin and eyes clear up before the shed. No reason to give a bath.

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Originally Posted by darkone4481

I am concerned with the state of my BP.


The unheated side stays around 75-80 and the humidity is around 55-60 at all times. She has a large water dish that she can submerge herself in.

You should try to get your cool side temps to at least in the 78-80 range, preferably 80-82.

I am concerned because I never see her drink or soak, She never goes into the heated side, always on the cool. And she recently went blue and was about to shed. I woke up this morning and she no longer has her bluish tent or eye caps but there is no skin in the cage.

How are you measuring your temps? Digital thermometer? It is possible that the warm side is too hot or that you just don't see her using the warm hide. When shedding they will go from the cloudy blue eyed stage back to almost looking like normal before they shed their skin. Give it a couple of days. Soaking is not recommended at this point as it can cause shedding problems. Wait till the snake sheds if there are stuck pieces then you can soak to help remove the stuck portions

I tried giving her a bath but this did not do anything, she also started breathing funny with little pops. She also opens her mouth a lot to *yawn* but she does not keep it open or gasp for air while she is yawning.

Constant yawning can be signs of an RI, along with the popping sound. However popping noises can occur during a shed due to loose pieces of skin near vents.

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There are a few things that need immediate attention on your behalf to help this snake. That UTH is VERY VERY HOT, it needs a thermostat. Your snake doesn't use it (thank goodness) because it is wayyy too hot. UTH's without a thermostat easily hit 120 degrees and the only way for you to monitor this temp properly is with the use of digital thermostat with a probe placed directly on the UTH or glass above it.

That popping noise you are hearing combined with the yawning is a tell-tale sign of a respiratory infection. The best cure for a RI is a vet visit and some prescribed meds. A proper set-up is a must to prevent the return or beginning of a RI.

On another note - bps do not soak. If your bp is soaking, you should be concerned. BP's live in the desert and have no reason to submerge themselves in water. You may not see your bp drink but he/she does don't worry.

You are doing a great thing by asking questions and learning about your snake and his/her needs. Ask as many questions as you can think of, and you will get answers. We are here to help you and your snake :)!

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Her cage is a 30 gal with a hide on eather side, one side has a heating lamp that shines on a hide and a basking rock

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If you are talking about a heat rock, please remove it from your enclosure ASAP, heat rocks are dangerous and should not be used with a Ball Python.

Contrary to what many believe healthy BP rarely soak, as far as drinking your BP does you just don’t see it, out of all the snakes I own, I might have seen 2 or 3 drink.

When in shed do not bath your BP, just make sure you provide proper humidity at all time.

Shedding takes 9 to 14 days BP clear up right after being blue than shed, here is the complete process http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=57

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What is the problem?

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You just worry too much, which is ok with a new animal, it show you care ;)

The only thing of concern is the breathing if it is constant a vet visit is definitely in order.

First..get rid of the rock. You never want any type heating element inside the tank. With a rock, UTH, and lamp it is probally too hot. How are you measuring your temps. If your temp measurements are ambient temps with a dial thermometer it is probally WAY too hot on the surface. The temps you want to keep 90ish is the surface temp. This needs to be measured with a digital thermo probe or a temp gun. Don't worry about the shed, sounds normal.

The popping may not be signs of and RI. If she is going to shed, which it sounds like she is, that poping and whistling is the shed in her nostrils making those sounds. Balls do also yawn occasionally. Keep an eye on her mouth and water dish. if you see any mucus y like substances or discharge around her mouth then she needs to see a vet. Give the popping and whistling a few days to stop after she sheds if you see no other signs of an RI.

BPs generally only soak for two reasons; if there is absolutely no other way to cool themselves or if they are seeking relief from pests, especially mites.

Sorry I should have made this more clear, the "basking rock" is just a rock i got outside with a smooth top and rough edges and I shine the light directly on it.

I have heared bad stories about those heating rocks and am never going to get one.

I do have an under the cage heating pad, I put my hand on the repti-turf over it for about 5 mins and it is not that hot, I put a digital thermometer on it and it says around 96 F.

I will wait a bit until she sheds and then repost on how she is doing. If she starts showing more signs of RTI then I am going to taker her to the vet.

Thanks everyone for their suggestions!