what do you think is wrong with my ball python's belly

This is my first post on this website or any website so sorry if i'm in wrong section or the photo don't work . Ok so I rescued this girl last week she was in a tank with 2 boas in not so great conditions and I was wondering what you think is on her belly, scar maybe ? and when I hold her she hisses a little do you think with more handling she will get more comfortable with me ? I took these pictures after she shed. any thoughts would be appreciated.




http://photobucket.com/tdawnm412

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...icture1112.jpg

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...icture1111.jpg

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...icture1120.jpg

Put the pics up for ya. Hard to tell from the pics. Do you know the conditions it was being kept in temp/humidity wise? Substrate? Possibly some scale rot?

:weirdface: Unless my eyes are deceiving me, it looks like the ventral scales are missing.

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Originally Posted by gibleis

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...icture1112.jpg

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...icture1111.jpg

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...icture1120.jpg

Put the pics up for ya. Hard to tell from the pics. Do you know the conditions it was being kept in temp/humidity wise? Substrate? Possibly some scale rot?

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Thank you ! i'm having one heck of a time figuring out the pictures and posts and photo bucket. I have No clue what the conditions were they wouldn't let me see the tank cause it needed to be cleaned they just brought her out to me but they said she was housed with 2 other boas in a 55 gallon tank. do you think her belly hurts her when held ?

How much of her belly looks like that and can you get some photos of more of her belly?

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

:weirdface: Unless my eyes are deceiving me, it looks like the ventral scales are missing.

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The reason that I say that is this. Look at the shape of the scales above the vent.

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Originally Posted by gibleis

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/...icture1112.jpg

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Then compare it to the ventral scales on this snake.

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Originally Posted by cecilbturtle

http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/...rtle59/056.jpg
http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/...rtle59/055.jpg

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

How much of her belly looks like that and can you get some photos of more of her belly?

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Currently downloading more pictures to my photo bucket

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

The reason that I say that is this. Look at the shape of the scales above the vent.



Then compare it to the ventral scales on this snake.

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wow thats crazy to see the difference between the 2 ... I think she has them but if you look close its like they are cut in half. I don't know i've never seen anything like that

If at all possible I would take it to a vet. That doesn't look very healthy.

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Originally Posted by tdawnm412

wow thats crazy to see the difference between the 2 ... I think she has them but if you look close its like they are cut in half. I don't know i've never seen anything like that

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Light bulb just went on ! your right it looks like the sides just connect with no middle scales. could it be birth defect ?

anybody know how to delete a thread ? I feel like such an idiot for not noticing that. I knew something was wrong but couldn't put my finger on it. thanks for the help Vypyrz !

It sort of looks like a burn to me

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Originally Posted by tdawnm412

anybody know how to delete a thread ? I feel like such an idiot for not noticing that. I knew something was wrong but couldn't put my finger on it. thanks for the help Vypyrz !

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Ask the mods, and there is no need to feel like an idiot. We all miss things that were staring us in the face the whole time. :P It happens to me all of the time. And this post is not a bad one, it shows why we are all here and it shows one of the main purposes of this website, to help one another.

On a side note, I find your snake amazingly interesting.

It looks like a scar from a thermal burn. But birth defect isn't out of the question. I've seen a few rescues that have scarring quite similar to that because of being burnt.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

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Originally Posted by Homegrownscales

It looks like a scar from a thermal burn. But birth defect isn't out of the question. I've seen a few rescues that have scarring quite similar to that because of being burnt.

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I agree with that statement. Without knowing the full history of the snake, it's going to be hard to know for sure why it's belly is like that. But, I'm sure she appreciates you for getting her out of the tank with the Boas... :gj:

Hi,

I agree it looks as though the snake was very badly burt at some point and recovered but without the belly scales.

We like to leave these threads up to help others in the future - if they have a similar problem and use the search feature the info in the threads can help them take the right course of action quickly rather than waiting for someone to see their thread and respond.

We are normally fairly active but there are still quieter times. :)


dr del

I recall the video that Ralph Davis posted of the snake born with its insides out that he sewed up. That is what I am thinking.

Cleft keel scales (scutes, according to J rossi) If that is correct it is where the ventral scales divide in the egg the book 'whats wrong with my snake' says it is a "congenital defect that usually means there was a problem during incubation." The image that is in that book looks very similar but it seems to be only 5-10 scales there.

Thanks for the thoughts everybody ! that makes me sad if she was burned that severely at some point.

I thought that I had heard about a snake with a scar running down its belly sounding familiar, This is the snake that is posted on KSL right now for sale or trade for a baby female python isn't it :P

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218...&lpid=&search=

I sure hope it winds up not being anything serious and you are able to find her a happy home cross fingers, wish I had more room in my home for another one <3

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Originally Posted by Tori Witschger

I thought that I had heard about a snake with a scar running down its belly sounding familiar, This is the snake that is posted on KSL right now for sale or trade for a baby female python isn't it :P

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218...&lpid=&search=

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your right I'm sorry as this is my first ball python I bit off more than I can chew and I think she needs a more experienced owner. I really did have good intentions though and I was honest about her condition and the 30 was for the 41 qt tub and supplies i got for her. I hope I can find the right home for her too :(

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Originally Posted by tdawnm412

your right I'm sorry as this is my first ball python I bit off more than I can chew and I think she needs a more experienced owner. I really did have good intentions though and I was honest about her condition and the 30 was for the 41 qt tub and supplies i got for her. I hope I can find the right home for her too :(

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Hey the important thing is that you were able to rescue her from a bad situation kudos for that!!! there is nothing wrong with knowing when its gonna be too much for you, beside starting off with a younger one that doesn't demand as much food or larger habitat is a good way to go for starting off.