What to do?

[derfpimp66]

My ball pythons tail bleeds when it sheds. Is this okay?

[beaglegod]

That doesnt sound like a healthy shed. Go to Alexhuereptiles.com than go to the forums theres a section called "Ask the Vet" Dr Alan D. Slack a veterinarian should be able to give you some answers.

[Marla]

No, it is definitely not okay. Are you "helping" it to shed by pulling away pieces of shed? Is your snake shedding on its own? How big an area is the bleeding coming from?

[iceman25]

That does not sound good. Is it external? Did it injure itself in some way? How long and heavy is it? Malnutrition in snakes causes their skin to split!

[JLC]

Actually, it depends. Sometimes, a snake will bleed a tiny bit from around the cloaca when it sheds. This is usually considered to be ok, so long as it is just a little bit and heals up right away. Still, I would take it as an indication that shed-time humidity levels might not yet be optimum.

[iceman25]

You know me, assume the worst case when it comes to snake health :wink:

[JLC]

And by the way...Paul's (beaglegod's) suggestion sounds like an excellent thing to try!

[Smynx]

I'm wondering whether the snake is bleeding around the cloaca, as Judy has suggested, or whether the tail has some sort of wound on it. If there is a wound, then it should be cleaned with betadine.

How long have you had your BP, and how many times has it shed?

Also, as Marla has suggested, you should never pull of pieces of shed. (I'm not saying you are doing this - It's just a general warning.)

Finally, what kind of substrate are you using?