Picture of Elizabeth maybe shedding? I need the communities opinions please!

Another option is to unplug the heat mat altogether and go with an overhead lamp instead. Yes, it makes keeping the humidity up a lot more challenging, but it's still doable and safer for the animal than an unregulated heat mat. But again...it still costs money for a bulb and a dome...probably about the same as it would cost for a dimmer switch and decent thermometer.

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Originally Posted by wax32

Ah yeah, I forget that some people stick them on the tank. Sorry!

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The desk she is on is wood... so it has to be to the bottom of the aquarium :D

That definitely looks like a burn to me, ouch :(
The scales look wavy and damaged. That will also invite secondary infections like blister disease, as the bacteria enters through the wounds.

Aspen should stay DRY, never wet !

Please use paper towels for now and keep everything dry and clean. The heating issue needs to be taken care off, sadly, there just isn't any way around it. Our body temperature is 98 degrees. So if the hotspot actually feels hot to YOU, imagine how hot it really is...

A didital thermometer with a probe is only a few dollars and there are very low priced thermostats. They are simply a must. If the belly is already burned and the snake continues to burn it, it can turn into a real mess.

Sorry, but there are no shortcuts on this :( Perhaps you can scan the different reptile forums to see if someone is selling some used stuff cheap...

just chiming in here with a question. Whats wrong with wet aspen, wouldnt wet (not soaked) aspen help keep the humidity levels up? I mean, when you spray their tanks you have to spray something, you cant just spray the air, and most things in the tanks wont hold humidity....I have aspen in all my sakes tanks (snake aspen) and I've never had a problem with it being wet, but I could be wrong in letting it get wet........I'm just wondering why it is you say its bad? :confused:

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Originally Posted by RaeaTheGreat

just chiming in here with a question. Whats wrong with wet aspen, wouldnt wet (not soaked) aspen help keep the humidity levels up? I mean, when you spray their tanks you have to spray something, you cant just spray the air, and most things in the tanks wont hold humidity....I have aspen in all my sakes tanks (snake aspen) and I've never had a problem with it being wet, but I could be wrong in letting it get wet........I'm just wondering why it is you say its bad? :confused:

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As I mentioned earlier...spritzing it with water when you mist the enclosure is alright. But truly wet bedding...of any sort...will harbor/breed tons of bacteria and that bacteria can get under the snake's scales and cause infections. There are ways of keeping the humidity at the proper levels without restoring to wet bedding.

Someone might be able to get away with it for a time, but eventually, scale rot or other similar infection will rear its ugly head.

well like once every few weeks ill take everything out of the tanks (to get it out of the way) and spray the bedding, mix it, spray it, mix it, etc, just to get it a little more humid bc the dry bedding seems uncomfortable....should I stop doing that?

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Originally Posted by RaeaTheGreat

well like once every few weeks ill take everything out of the tanks (to get it out of the way) and spray the bedding, mix it, spray it, mix it, etc, just to get it a little more humid bc the dry bedding seems uncomfortable....should I stop doing that?

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Yes, I would stop doing that. What "seems uncomfortable" to you is a non-issue with the snakes. In fact, the bedding is only there to absorb waste...they don't really need cushioning or pillows or anything "comfy".

alright, thanks =) sorry for the thread steal o.o

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Originally Posted by RaeaTheGreat

alright, thanks =) sorry for the thread steal o.o

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Nooo problem. :)

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Originally Posted by RaeaTheGreat

alright, thanks =) sorry for the thread steal o.o

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HOW COULD YOU!!! BLASPHEMER!!!! :D:D

And I read an article about raising your ball python that said that when you clean out the cage you soak the bedding slightly and mix it in until its even then let it sit for a few minutes so it evens out... I don't see anything wrong with wetting the bedding when you are changing... cause it is going to dry...
but don't listen to me, listen to the veterans :D:D
to me, anatomically (at least), the moist bedding shouldnt be an issue if it is just at changing time and not a constant...