Pink belly on ball python

I have a three year old spider ball python that has developed a pink belly from midway down to her tail. It showed up just as she was about to shed. It didn't go away when she shed and i am now very worried. I am using a UTH that i got a few years ago but it seems to be working right and isnt too hot to the touch when i feel the "hot/warm" side of the cage. when i have her out and i rub or touch the pink on her bell she doesn't react like it hurts. Please help me if you have any ideas.

Do you use a thermostat with the UTH?
What is your substrate method? Is it too damp?
Its either too much warmth or too much dampness, not entirely sure.
Some pictures of her belly, and your setup would maybe help

how do i upload a picture? i am on a mac and am new to this forum.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-Post-Pictures

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Her belly and her tank

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she is currently on coconut fiber eco earth.

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Originally Posted by dylan815

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she is currently on coconut fiber eco earth.

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In the overhead picture. Is that mold?

That pink on her belly looks like a burn to me, not the typical pink you see with shed. Do you have a thermometer or temp gun to measure the temp on the inside of your tank next to the UTH?


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Originally Posted by ElliotNess

In the overhead picture. Is that mold?

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No, it's just a tag on a power stripe behind it.


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Originally Posted by BPGator

That pink on her belly looks like a burn to me, not the typical pink you see with shed. Do you have a thermometer or temp gun to measure the temp on the inside of your tank next to the UTH?


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I'll get one today for


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that definitely looks like a burn, and there definitely seems to be something wrong with your substrate. please read over the forum caresheet and other stickied articles in the husbandry section.

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Originally Posted by ElliotNess

In the overhead picture. Is that mold?

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Originally Posted by dylan815

No, it's just a tag on a power stripe behind it.


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i think we're looking at the green patches throughout the tank on the substrate.

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Originally Posted by dylan815

I'll get one today for


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While you're out get a thermostat too if you don't have one. This will regulate how hot your UTH can get.


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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

i think we're looking at the green patches throughout the tank on the substrate.

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It was green moss. But my snake re arranges everything in that tank and has broken the moss up into smaller piece


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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

i think we're looking at the green patches throughout the tank on the substrate.

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If my UTH is the culprit and my snake has been burned is there anyway that the failing uth could have sudden hot spurts? Because it doesn't feel too hot to the touch. Nothing that could ever burn anything.


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Also, I have unplugged the heater for the time being until this gets figured out.


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Originally Posted by dylan815

Also, I have unplugged the heater for the time being until this gets figured out.


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you NEED a thermoSTAT, non-negotiable. the UTH can stay unplugged for a while as long as your other temperatures are within the correct range. for the time being, head to any home improvement story and get a ~$15 lamp dimmer. this will be a temporary solution until you can get something more reliable. most of us here will tell you Herpstat brand thermostats are the way to go (and they are) but there are other options that are not as pricey. a lot of us use this $30 thermostat while we save up for a Herpstat. again that should not be used as a permanent solution, and some have had them fail while i have used two of them for years without issue, but i have since upgraded.

You can probably find a ZooMed thermostat at your local pet shop too. It's not digital but you'll need a thermometer anyway to dial into the correct temperature. They'll have probe thermometers there too.


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Originally Posted by BPGator

You can probably find a ZooMed thermostat at your local pet shop too. It's not digital but you'll need a thermometer anyway to dial into the correct temperature. They'll have probe thermometers there too.

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i honestly forget pet stores actually sell thermostats lol. also OP while you're out, pick up an infrared temp gun: you'll need to dial in your temps somehow and a temp gun is the easiest way to ensure accurate readings of the enclosure floor.

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Originally Posted by dylan815

If my UTH is the culprit and my snake has been burned is there anyway that the failing uth could have sudden hot spurts? Because it doesn't feel too hot to the touch. Nothing that could ever burn anything.


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The hottest a hot spot should be is about 90. Your body temp is around 98. If the hot spot feels warm to you it is probably already too hot for the snake.

You UTH could be failing or it might not be. It could have been too warm the entire time you have had it. If the ambient temp dropped the animal may have stayed on the hot spot even though it was too hot. A ball python will burn itself before it will allow itself to be too cold.

i have ordered good thermostats for the snakes. In the mean time what should i do with the spider ball with the singed belly? i have unplugged the heating pad and put a heat lamp over the tank to give her some heat. What should i do with the burnt belly? just let her be? should i switch off of coco nut fiber to something like paper towels or newspaper? thanks!

I would switch to paper towels and change them out as soon as they get dirty. As to the burn itself it does not look super bad by the pictures, I would probably leave it alone unless it starts to blister. I will leave it up to others that have actually had to deal with burns to give you a little better advice.