Injured ball python

My eight months old bp has these injuries. She used to have a plastic hidebox with a cut out entry hole. At first I thought she had hurt herself on the edges of the hole since she has grown and gotten bigger. I removed the plastic box and got her an Exo terra reptile cave.

Could it be burn injuries? If so, I don't really understand how that could happen. She's in a wooden viv with a CHE (with a lamp cage) set up to a thermostat.

It seems like she is doing fine behaviorally wise. Never declined a meal and is out climbing her branches at night. She has no injuries on her belly scales.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...597fec1054.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...2eb29132fa.jpg

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It's hard to tell at this 'distance' but those appear to be scraped areas. While I can't rule out burns, it seems likely that she tried climbing around/under the CHE cage, perhaps scraping off her skin in the process?

Because that is such a large area that is exposed & at risk of infection, you should see a vet for treating this injury, IMO. (She might need an antibiotic.)

If you need to find a local qualified herp vet, this may help: https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661

In the meantime, I'd suggest buying some Vetericyn antiseptic ointment (for reptile use) & applying it on the damaged areas.

I'd also change out her substrate to white paper towels to minimize infection for as long as she needs to get healed. It's a good thing she's a good eater, as she'll be shedding more frequently to heal, & she'll need to be well-fed. (When snakes are injured, they don't just shed the injured areas, they shed their whole body.)

I am no pro. "Looks" to be burns, but can't tell for sure. I know you said you use a CHE in a cage, but even the metal cage itself, if the CHE gets really hot the cage can get hot enough to burn. Is she within range of touching or rubbing on the cage? If you have a IR thermometer, maybe try checking how hot the cage is. That's what it "looks" like for me. I'm just trying to give you something to look into as a source. I'm sure someone with more experience will chime in soon.

Regarding the injury, maybe someone can suggest what to put on it. You don't want an infection coming from that. Maybe get rid of the substrate for awhile, and keep on clean white paper towels to keep the wound clean while treating it.

A vet visit might be warranted if a burn, but I know how vet visits can become pricey.

Vet visit ASAP. That is not an injury that just appeared overnight.


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Apparently I seem to have two users here [emoji38]
Just wanted to update with some new pics of the injuries. Do you think that the scales will grow back on the largest bald spot?https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c45198d99b.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...21a60a664c.jpg

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Originally Posted by rumbi

...Just wanted to update with some new pics of the injuries. Do you think that the scales will grow back on the largest bald spot?

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No, sorry- very unlikely. The scar will stay pinkish & bare, & probably always be visible. Might have some challenges with shedding over that area too.

Do you have a picture of the enclosure I use wooden vivs with che for years and never had issues. Could be as something simple like thermostat probe position in wrong place so it’s pumping to much heat out to get warmth to that area thus increasing the temps of the cage, my cage never gets above 38c which is human temperature so is safe to be around.


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I keep the thermostat probe fastened to a piece of bark with a rubber band. The cage has never felt warm to me so I still don't quite understand how it happened. That is why I thought they were scraping wounds.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by rumbi

I keep the thermostat probe fastened to a piece of bark with a rubber band. The cage has never felt warm to me so I still don't quite understand how it happened. That is why I thought they were scraping wounds.

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Remember that our body temperature is roughly 98.6* F. which is too hot for any place in a snake's enclosure. To "feel warm" to us means it has to be HIGHER than our body temperature. :colbert2:

You cannot rely on how it "feels" to make sure it's safe for your snake! USE AN ACCURATE THERMOMETER- ALWAYS.

You cannot rely on what a thermostat is "set to"- always read independently what it REALLY is.

But how could a snake sustain burn injuries from what is essentially human body temperature? The CHE is set to a thermostat and I have digital probe thermometers on both sides of the enclosure.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by rumbi

But how could a snake sustain burn injuries from what is essentially human body temperature? The CHE is set to a thermostat and I have digital probe thermometers on both sides of the enclosure.

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CHEs get much hotter than 85-90f, try feeling yours when it's heating. It'll sting and you could burn yourself if you hold your hand to it. They get very hot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rumbi

But how could a snake sustain burn injuries from what is essentially human body temperature? The CHE is set to a thermostat and I have digital probe thermometers on both sides of the enclosure.

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But they're not human- & excessive temperature over too long a time causes tissue injury to them. :( They burn more easily than we do- they're cold-blooded & way different physically. For one thing, their blood circulation is not as efficient. And I don't think their nervous system is as complex either.

Thermostats are only what is "intended"- it's always up to you to find out what is actually produced & maintained- plenty of things don't read accurately. ;) Thermostats are like people: When you ask a question of people- you still might need a "second (or third+) opinion" to get the truth. You can't trust a thermostat either- you need to double-check, & more than once.

A "burn" injury to a snake is not like a burn from fire- it doesn't require anything like that level of heat. Snakes are just not designed to be as warm as we are for a sustained period of time.

And it seems like BPs are prone to this, I suspect it's because they're heavy-bodied snakes & it takes a long time for warmth to penetrate to where they realize it's too much.
It does make me wonder how they survive in the wild though? :confusd:

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Originally Posted by MD_Pythons

CHEs get much hotter than 85-90f, try feeling yours when it's heating. It'll sting and you could burn yourself if you hold your hand to it. They get very hot.

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For sure, they get screaming hot. :O

I'm not an expert on t-stats so correct me if I'm wrong here, but in theory, maybe the kind of t-stat used makes a difference too?
If it's proportional, it would never fully heat up & would be safer, but if it's an "on-off" t-stat, it would be blasting heat briefly before shutting off, & that's how the snake could get burned. Right? A snake might sit there through many on-off cycles & ultimately sustain some damage. :confusd:

The thermostat is proportional by the way so it never really gets hot.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by rumbi

The thermostat is proportional by the way so it never really gets hot.

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How are you taking the temperature? You cannot go by what the t-stat says. And a reading is only as accurate as what you're using.

One way or another, your snake is injured- it's essential to figure out how & why. And we don't have the enclosure to see & test, that's up to you.

I use digital thermometers with probes apart from the thermostat.

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Like I said, we aren't SEEING the enclosure. :confusd: Quote- " She's in a wooden viv with a CHE (with a lamp cage) set up to a thermostat."

Is the CHE/cage inside the enclosure? You also mentioned climbing branches- could she be scraping the (hot) cage around the CHE?

It would sure help if snakes could talk...until then, we have to play "detective" to figure out what the heck they did. :cool:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Like I said, we aren't SEEING the enclosure. :confusd: Quote- " She's in a wooden viv with a CHE (with a lamp cage) set up to a thermostat."

Is the CHE/cage inside the enclosure? You also mentioned climbing branches- could she be scraping the (hot) cage around the CHE?

It would sure help if snakes could talk...until then, we have to play "detective" to figure out what the heck they did. :cool:

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I don’t get it cause I use the same type of enclosure and the guard it self once the temperature is up never gets above 35 ish. So without seeing the enclosure I can’t advise any more either


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Also depending on probe position with che it goes the thermostat control the temp to that position, if its too far from the che it will draw more power to keep that area hot thus getting hot and the cage getting hot above acceptable levels.


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Originally Posted by Jamiekerk

Also depending on probe position with che it goes the thermostat control the temp to that position, if its too far from the che it will draw more power to keep that area hot thus getting hot and the cage getting hot above acceptable levels.


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Yes, maybe the probe isn't where it should be, or has been dislodged. Something isn't right though, since the snake has very real injuries- & no one wants to see them repeated.