ball python with a Very Pink belly

[coffeeortea]

Eating has nothing to do with shedding, they have to shed regardless.

im using a under tank heat pad I bought couple years ago. the hot spot temp is around 80-83.

[coffeeortea]

It looks pinker than what I'm used to.
But like Aaron said, food has nothing to do w/ shedding. They shed every few weeks anyway.

What is your hotspot set to? Just because it doesn't feel hot to you, doesn't mean its not too hot for the snake. Are you using a thermostat to regulate the hot spot?

Edit: Aaron beats me again! XP

Im not using a thermostat but thinking about buying one right now. I use heat pad right now. is it a bad idea to give bath before a shed??

[The Serpent Merchant]

UTH's absolutely must have a thermostat to control them. Otherwise they can easily get up to 130 degrees (enough to kill your snake) How are you measuring temperatures? UTH's do not affect the air temperature in the cage so unless you have a probed thermometer you have no way of telling how hot it actually is getting.

Bathing or soaking your snake is never a good idea as it will stress out the animal and remove essential oils necessary for the shedding process.

Also do not buy a thermostat from a pet store as the thermostats sold there are overpriced and do not work very well.

Here are some good ones.

The Hydrofarm, it costs $30 and can be purchased on Amazon, but doesn't regulate temperatures as good as it should. it will do what you need it to do but should be replaced with a better thermostat as soon as possible.

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR..._bxgy_ol_img_b

The Herpstat is the best you can get, but has a higher price tag. Herpstats start at $99 but there are more expensive/better models available. they regulate temperatures significantly better than the hydrofarm can.

http://spyderrobotics.com/

[coffeeortea]

UTH's absolutely must have a thermostat to control them. Otherwise they can easily get up to 130 degrees (enough to kill your snake) How are you measuring temperatures? UTH's do not affect the air temperature in the cage so unless you have a probed thermometer you have no way of telling how hot it actually is getting.

Bathing or soaking your snake is never a good idea as it will stress out the animal and remove essential oils necessary for the shedding process.

Also do not buy a thermostat from a pet store as the thermostats sold there are overpriced and do not work very well.

Here are some good ones.

The Hydrofarm, it costs $30 and can be purchased on Amazon, but doesn't regulate temperatures as good as it should. it will do what you need it to do but should be replaced with a better thermostat as soon as possible.

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR..._bxgy_ol_img_b

The Herpstat is the best you can get, but has a higher price tag. Herpstats start at $99 but there are more expensive/better models available. they regulate temperatures significantly better than the hydrofarm can.

http://spyderrobotics.com/

I have a thermometer inside of the tank. I will definitely look into those two thermostats. I will keep you updated on this thanks again for your help!

[The Serpent Merchant]

what type of thermometer is it though? if it is a dial type you need to replace it.

These work great and are super cheap. They can be purchased at Walmart for $12 and measure 2 temperatures (hot side and cool side) as well as humidity.

[coffeeortea]

what type of thermometer is it though? if it is a dial type you need to replace it.

These work great and are super cheap. They can be purchased at Walmart for $12 and measure 2 temperatures (hot side and cool side) as well as humidity.

this is similar to what I'm using right now
I will go to Walmart to buy one tomorrow after work. thanks

[satomi325]

The dial thermometers from pet stores are not accurate. Plus it only measures the air. You want one like the Acurite kind to measure the actual hot spot(on the bottom of the enclosure)

You'll benefit a lot from the new thermometer you're getting tomorrow.

[abrunsen]

if you're not using a thermostat I'm guessing your snake could possibly have a burn... Like Merchant said if UTH's are left un-regulated they can get up to 130 degrees... Dials are crap and it was probably measuring your ambient temperature if it was doing anything. You really need to get a thermostat and digital gauge as soon as possible. I would recommend the hydrofarm for 30 dollars. Its cheap and does its job. Good luck.

-Alex

[The Serpent Merchant]

if you're not using a thermostat I'm guessing your snake could possibly have a burn... Like Merchant said if UTH's are left un-regulated they can get up to 130 degrees... Dials are crap and it was probably measuring your ambient temperature if it was doing anything. You really need to get a thermostat and digital gauge as soon as possible. I would recommend the hydrofarm for 30 dollars. Its cheap and does its job. Good luck.

-Alex

If it is a burn, it isn't a bad one (yet) getting a new thermometer and thermostat will solve this issue.

regardless bump up the humidity as it will help either way. only time will tell which it is.

If you haven't yet, I would suggest reading this: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...s%29-Caresheet

[abrunsen]

If it is a burn, it isn't a bad one (yet) getting a new thermometer and thermostat will solve this issue.

regardless bump up the humidity as it will help either way. only time will tell which it is.

If you haven't yet, I would suggest reading this: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...s%29-Caresheet

I agree, it didn't look too bad but it did look a lot more pink than typical pre-shed pink. Either way, now the OP knows better.

-Alex