Virgin Ball Python Care Givers

Hi - I was hoping someone could explain the brown redish liquid I noticed on my 9 month old ball python. He shed 2 days ago. I'm scare he may be sick:please:

where is this liquid coming from on your BP?

When I looked the morning, it was a few drops on the top of his skin. In other words, not on his belly. I turned him over i thought it could be blisters

Could it be dried blood from a prior feeding day? Sometimes you'll see blood after a shed near the cloaca but anywhere else it pretty odd.

Hmm that is wierd, what do you keep him on substrate wise. Maybe he got in his water dish and got something on him?

Is his mouth clear no bubble mucous, underside looks ok?

Photos please :)

he has pine bedding, metal water bowl, logs for cover , Uvb lamp. I put tape around the outside so he might be more comfortable and magazine pages outside on his back wall. I didn't know not to soak bedding. Today, I gave him a bath. I put newspaper over the bedding to see if the pine bedding is causing the stuff. If so, I'm going to get him a new substrate. poor little guy was abandon by a former roommate. I would like a different setting for him.

he looks good otherwise and healthy

Pictures are needed and can he come in contact with the heat lamp??

You definately need him off that pine, NOW! I would just go with newspaper or paper towels until you find out what the problem is.

Thank you to everyone.No,I put the heat lamp on the outside of the screened cover. I feel like a new mom. I worry. Hopefully, it was the bedding. I'm going to get him a new substrate anyway. I'll put some more nature type pictures on the outside of his place.I feel better to have people to chat with about python care. Thanks again, I'll keep posting to let you know how it's going and ask questions

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ladeeluc

Thank you to everyone.No,I put the heat lamp on the outside of the screened cover. I feel like a new mom. I worry. Hopefully, it was the bedding. I'm going to get him a new substrate anyway. I'll put some more nature type pictures on the outside of his place.I feel better to have people to chat with about python care. Thanks again, I'll keep posting to let you know how it's going and ask questions

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A good plan for your substrate is this, put him on papertowels or newspaper and if this liquid appears again TAKE PICTURES!
Then for future substrate, aspen is a good wood base you can use.

HI - he is doing great and eating right now. I changed his substrate to newspaper. Apparently, former owner make one of the worst substrate for ball Python's on earth. I'm using newspaper now. I promise pictures after feeding. thanks again.

Hi everyone - I got a brand new substrate. He is doing beautifully in his new home. He has new glass home w/ a screened top, aspen bedding,log shelter,heat lamp,and day UVB day lamp. I'll post pictures soon as i have time and figure it to out.

good to hear

you do realize the heat lamp/uvb bulb is a waste?
the heat lamp isnt bad, but a ball has NO use for a UVB bulb

did the guy give you one? or did some pet store sucker you into the bulb?

good for a beardie though ;) get one of them for it!

i wouldnt really call a uvb bulb a waste especially if it is providing an effective photoperiod for the animal.