ball pythons acting weird. please help

ok, i just got a baby ball python. i followed the no handling rules for the first week, fed him on thursday November 17, waited a few days then started handling him. i got home today to see that he took a really big crap. it was alot, which i dont know if its normal. also he is secreting a jelly substance from the end of his tail, and its clear and a little bit of it is a very light red. im pretty worried, i did some research before i got him and didnt read anything about that. also his belly is a slight pink color which i read means they are starting a shedding cycle. is this all do to the shedding cycle or do i have another problem? and should i take him to see a specialist. and last, i have him in a 10gal tank with a under the tank heat pad, is this sufficient. the guy at the store said its all i need but my room tends to get pretty cold at night. thanks.

Big poops are normal for pythons.. but the jelly stuff is not. Can you post a picture? I would take to a vet asap though.. a reptile vet.

The heating pad should have either a rheostat or a thermostat to control it. Pet store heat pads get WAY too hot on their own. Matt (justcage) here can get you all set up. http://www.mgreptiles.com/

Do you have two nice tight hide spots in the tank? One on each side?

First off never believe what the pet store people tell ya. I swear some of those folks have never read an animal caresheet in their life! :doh: The pink belly could be an indicator for an upcoming shed but it could also be the early stages of a burn. You need to monitor those heating devices closely. Do you have a digital thermometer? They have some really inexpensive ones at Walmart in the outdoor thermometer section. Get one that monitors two temps and humidity!! They're awesome.

As for the jelly stuff.... Not too sure about that. If you haven't had the animal checked by a vet I'd do that. It's always good to know that they don't have any internal parasites. :D

i dont have a camera. im going to take him to a vet. i only have one hide spot. should i get a second, and is a 10gal big enough. i always check the bottom of the tank where the heat pad is to make sure its not to hot or cold, its always warm.

Yes get a second hide definitely. A 10 gallon is fine for a baby BP.. a bigger tank would stress him.

You can't tell the temperature just by feeling with your hand. Correct temperatures are the most basic and important part of snake husbandry. Do your animal a favor and buy a thermostat.. you can also get that from Matt. Warm side should be 92-95 degrees.. cool side 82-85.. anything less than 75 degrees is dangerous for the snake.

would i be better off taking out the heat mat and just using a lamp and a thermostat?

No.. if you're getting a thermostat, use the under tank heater. Lamps dry out the air too much.. no humidity. If your house is cold, you may need a second heat mat, or even a space heater to make sure the tank doesn't go below 75. I have a heater in my herp room.. it's a constant 82 degrees in here.

and while im here whats the best thing to use for the floor of the tank. im using a white substarate i got from the pet store. i believe its called desert snow. but i noticed when i fed him a piece got in his mouth and it took him a while to get it out.

What is it like? If it's sand like, don't use it. I personally use newspaper for all 21 of my babies. Aspen is fine.. and carefresh.. just not cedar or pine.

not sand, its like thick soft paper. what about the astro turf stuff. ive seen some people using that.

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Originally Posted by NickR0985

and while im here whats the best thing to use for the floor of the tank. im using a white substarate i got from the pet store. i believe its called desert snow. but i noticed when i fed him a piece got in his mouth and it took him a while to get it out.

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My herp only vet (SEAVS)recommends Desert Snow or Care Fresh Ultra. He says it maintains the humidity levels in the tank better since aspen tends to be drying.

Sounds like you're using CareFresh, which is just fine.

Are you sure the 'jelly' stuff isn't just him taking a pee? Either way, I'd get him vet-checked.

Astro turf is too hard to disinfect. You'll spend too much time cleaning it.. in my opinion.

Ummm no expert here but are we talking about the snake passing a jelly like substance or something pink/red bulging out of it's vent area. Could this be the snake everting guys? Did it stay out or pop back inside?


~~Jo~~

Yeah I didn't think about it.. that snake 'parts' do kinda look like jelly.. :bleh:

this is where a pic is nice. way to many things could be happening hr should just take him to a vet and play it safe as the old rule goes "when in dought"

In my point of view astro turf sucks, its really hard and abrasive for a snake.

I use reptile carpet, and i love it !! it holds humidity very well and they come in almost every size, cleaning is super simple, just throw it in the wash (by itself) with some bleach and you are good to go !

Of course newspaper is super easy but to me the nice green color of the carpet goes better with my decorations and helps my cage look nice without the mess of dirt like substrates or bark.Since it looks so nice and is easy to deal with , i think its one of the better things to use. :)

But if you dont care alot about the looks of your tank go with newspaper its super cheap and in most cases (or at least mine) its free .On your way out of walmart they ususally have your local papers for free, i just grab a pile or two. I only use newspaper for one of my snakes but i do like it alot :)

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Originally Posted by Brandon.O

its really hard and abrasive for a snake.

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Termite mounds are hard and abrasive too ... I promise you, they don't mind. ;) :D

-adam

The jelly stuff I've seen before... My snake actually pooped on ME twice and it was the weird jelly stuff... I was kinda mad! hehehehe anyway, I took her to the vet and the vet showed me how to check its belly by rubbing right down the middle of it! She showed me that my snake was constipated! WEIRD. we gave the snake some olive oil and about 3 days later she took a nice big firm poop!
I would totally take the snake to the vet! and fell down its belly for any obstructions. especially at the end of the snake! close to the bum! : )

If you're concerned with constipation a simple soaking will usually move things right along, but it's usually not a problem with the correct husbandry. I really don't think oil is a good idea. Was this a herp vet?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NickR0985

and while im here whats the best thing to use for the floor of the tank. im using a white substarate i got from the pet store. i believe its called desert snow. but i noticed when i fed him a piece got in his mouth and it took him a while to get it out.

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Desert snow is a great substrate with the only problem being the price. Its basically recycled paper and its completely digestable so don't worry about any getting into your pet's mouth. I use aspen and i love it. As far as the jelly stuff i definitely would suggest seeing a vet asap. Pet stores know nothing so don't take any advise from them. it would be best to get a thermostat asap and a digital thermometer that has two temp zones (inside and outside) so that you can watch the temps on both sides of the cage. WalMart sells one made by accurite and it measures two zones and humidity all in one. if the belly issue is burns from overheating then the jelly stuff won't be your only problem. as long as you catch all this soon then you will be fine.

I agree oil sounds very strange to give to a snake. Constipation usually means your snake isn't getting enough water. Make sure there's always water in the dish.

I dont believe the vet is a REAL herp vet! We dont get many reptiles in my city anyway, but she's had a few corn snakes, and all kinds of other lizards...dragons and such! I was also told by a co-worker who used to breed Corn Snakes and all kinds of diff pythons!

I cant see the Olive oil hurting the snake! It worked wonderfully for my snake! She had a nice poop 3 days later! and then I fed her! FINALLY!

I was told Olive Oil works great for taking skin off it it doesnt come off in the shed, also works well for killing mites that are inside the snakes heat pit things, and also was told that you can give it to a snake if it is having poop problems.

I dont know... If anyone can give me a good reason why I should be usuing it, I will totally stop but for now it has helped me with all kinds of problems!

I've never seen my BP drink any water yet! She has a massive bowl but is never anywhere near it.... I think because it's in the open of the tank! I'm thinking about putting some kinda plastic vines on the flooor to help give her something to hide in while she sildes towards the water! She might be a little too nervous! I just got her like a month ago some it takes time!


I've also heard that the snake usually gets most of it's fluids for its prey! They don't really need to drink that often, but my corn snake will sit and drink water forever!

Snakes don't drink all that often. Ball pythons will more often do it at night when it's quiet because they are secretive and nocturnal.