Spot on Lenny

[ROSIEonFIRE]

Morning guys! I was doing my morning tat check and visual inspection of Lenny when I noticed a red spot. As most of you probably know I just got Lenny about 10 days ago so I’m only take him out if it’s necessary to work on the enclosure and ALSO I noticed a couple days ago that his eyes are looking cloudy and he seemed lethargic meaning that I think he’s going into shed. But when I noticed a possible injury I took him out to do a health check. He has a red spot with some raised scales. He also had some pink mottling as you can see in the picture. I don’t know if the mottling is because it was the first thing in the morning. When I had him out for the health check and pics, his demeanor seemed good. Plenty of tongue flicks with a calm and curious attitude.

Here’s my husbandry highlights:
4x2x2 pvc with mesh top, hot hide temp: 87, hot basking: 95, warm hide: 83, cool hide: 75. I’m working on humidity, generally lows of 60 on the cool end, I’m spraying once or twice a day to supplement. Heating is heat mats with thermostats under the tank, well ventilated, plus DHP and CHE. Sub is reptiearth mixed with coco husk and some spagh. He has several hides around his enclosure. See snabitat build thread for pics and more info.


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[Bogertophis]

Lot's of snake look pinkish on ventral side (where it shows, as on your white or pied snake) before going into shed. I'm not seeing anything that would keep me awake nights.

What red? And "raised scales" (as in puffy, possibly infected?) or just slightly bent or abraded scales, from climbing around over rough surfaces? (-which is normal)

[ROSIEonFIRE]

Lot's of snake look pinkish on ventral side (where it shows, as on your white or pied snake) before going into shed. I'm not seeing anything that would keep me awake nights.

What red? And "raised scales" (as in puffy, possibly infected?) or just slightly bent or abraded scales, from climbing around over rough surfaces? (-which is normal)

The redness is mild for sure. I think id describe the scales as bent/abraded? I circled them in this picture. I’m really relieved that this seems like normal snake stuff! I wasn’t freaking out because it seemed pretty mild but I WAS worried about it.


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[dakski]

I agree that it is probably pre-shed redness or a rub on something.

However, I'll add one thing. 95F is too hot for a BP for anywhere in the tank, even basking.

Hot side should be 85F +/- with a hot spot/basking spot of up to 89-90F. I would be okay with 87F hot side including basking spot in a tank the size of yours (I have the same size for Shayna, my BP) because there is adequate space to cool down. However, get the 95F spot down. That will (likely) improve humidity as well.

I know you said you were just checking on him, but really, Lenny needs to be left alone to shed and get used to his new home (for about 3 weeks and 3 consecutive meals). You do not want him to get stressed and go off food etc.

Handle him only if you need to remove him to perform cage maintenance like cleaning the tank. When you do, at least for now, put him in a holding container, etc. and put him back. Do not interact with him too much.

I am not trying to preach here. However, you seem to have great intentions and love Lenny. I want you to have a great experience with him for a long time, and you will. Just take a breath, get the temps corrected, and let him be for a bit.

Overall, you are doing great and he looks like he has a great Snarent.

[ROSIEonFIRE]

I agree that it is probably pre-shed redness or a rub on something.

However, I'll add one thing. 95F is too hot for a BP for anywhere in the tank, even basking.

Hot side should be 85F +/- with a hot spot/basking spot of up to 89-90F. I would be okay with 87F hot side including basking spot in a tank the size of yours (I have the same size for Shayna, my BP) because there is adequate space to cool down. However, get the 95F spot down. That will (likely) improve humidity as well.

I know you said you were just checking on him, but really, Lenny needs to be left alone to shed and get used to his new home (for about 3 weeks and 3 consecutive meals). You do not want him to get stressed and go off food etc.

Handle him only if you need to remove him to perform cage maintenance like cleaning the tank. When you do, at least for now, put him in a holding container, etc. and put him back. Do not interact with him too much.

I am not trying to preach here. However, you seem to have great intentions and love Lenny. I want you to have a great experience with him for a long time, and you will. Just take a breath, get the temps corrected, and let him be for a bit.

Overall, you are doing great and he looks like he has a great Snarent.

Thank you! The advice is very much appreciated as are your kind words about my snarent fitness


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[dakski]

Thank you! The advice is very much appreciated as are your kind words about my snarent fitness


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Thank you for understanding that I am trying to help (and I like to write a lot - see below ). We have all been there. It is exciting to get a new pet. We just want to do our best to care for them and it is fun to interact with them. You are well on your way to being a top notch Snarent, I have no doubt.

It is important to realize that snakes are not domesticated. They are not looking for reassurance from us like, say, a dog would. For a snake like a BP to feel safe, they need to feel that they are not at risk of being eaten by a predator. This means hiding well and a familiar environment. There are instinctual creatures and have no frontal lobe - just a reptilian brain. Therefore the name of the game is to keep a snakes guard down and that takes time.

Many people who are unfamiliar with reptiles think snakes bite all the time. It is what they see on YouTube, etc. I tell people who are curious about my reptiles, the snakes in particular, that they bite for two reasons: Hungry or scared. Period. If you help them feel safe and are respectful, bites are less likely to happen. If they do not think food is coming, they do not bite for that reason. Feliz and Behira (my two biggest boas) are door strikers. When food is possible, they will hit the doors of their enclosure if they see movement. I have drapes up to help prevent this, especially when feeding the other snakes who eat more frequently. They can be ready to nail anything that moves and I can tap them with the hook (something I have conditioned them means they are coming out of the tank and never do when food is coming - hook training) and pick them up and they are fine. They "snap" out of it.

It is about putting yourself where the snake is and not where you would be. It is about understanding the instincts and not anthropomorphizing so much.

Anyway, long way to go here, but the point is, you are doing great. You care and you are willing to listen to what is best for Lenny. That tells me he is going to have a long and happy life.

Keep up the good work and keep us posted on Lenny.