Help needed - Clutsy BP

[CopperNightShade]

Okay... two things.
1. I noticed today an odd mark on the belly of my new BP (3mo.old) It is a dark grey brown streak running down the middle of his belly, about 2/3 down. It seems like the scales are broken... could it be a scratch? It isn't bleeding, though he seemed pretty keen on not letting me touch it. Any advice?

2. Fed the little BP today too. And apparently, he is either a world-class clutz or he is blind. He immediately curled into a striking position when I displayed the mouse (pre-killed), but he struck a full 2" off target and struck his plastic hidebox. Twice. He also managed to strike and bite his driftwood as well, before finally getting the mouse. I watched quietly and he didn't seem to have any problem at all getting it down, and took off to his basking hidebox without hesitation.

Should I worry? What should I look for as far as damage is concerned?

[Swingline0.0.1]

Possibly scale rot, I would suggest taking your bp to the vet in case he needs antibiotics.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

1. I noticed today an odd mark on the belly of my new BP (3mo.old) It is a dark grey brown streak running down the middle of his belly, about 2/3 down. It seems like the scales are broken... could it be a scratch? It isn't bleeding, though he seemed pretty keen on not letting me touch it. Any advice?

Belly button , you can post a picture but this is likely what it is from your description.

2. Fed the little BP today too. And apparently, he is either a world-class clutz or he is blind. He immediately curled into a striking position when I displayed the mouse (pre-killed), but he struck a full 2" off target and struck his plastic hidebox. Twice. He also managed to strike and bite his driftwood as well, before finally getting the mouse. I watched quietly and he didn't seem to have any problem at all getting it down, and took off to his basking hidebox without hesitation.

Make sure the prey is warm enough, if not they will often hit and miss.

[CoolioTiffany]

Possibly scale rot. Scale rot usually looks like a scab on the snake. If not treated, it spreads throughout the entire body, killing the snake. Post a picture so I can tell if it is or not. Scale rot is just my guess from what you described it.

The snake can probably see. Though, pythons rely on their heat pits and tongue to find the prey. They don't usually use eye sight that much, though, their eye sight is not the best. They use the heat pits to detect the food item's direction while the tongue helps search it out. Without that tongue, snakes wouldn't be able to eat because that tongue helps them with finding the prey.

[dr del]

Hi,

Does anything in this thread look familiar?


dr del

[CopperNightShade]

Hi,

Does anything in this thread look familiar?


dr del

It does! It looks just like that. Oh thank god.

[CopperNightShade]

Belly button , you can post a picture but this is likely what it is from your description.

Make sure the prey is warm enough, if not they will often hit and miss.

I had killed the little mouse like... 2min before feeding, if that. Is it possible for it too loose so much heat that the snake can't detect it as easily?

[Kaorte]

You could blow a hair dryer on it for a bit to heat up the head.

Also, sometimes they miss. It happens.

BTW, the "broken scales" is NOT scale rot ): Its the snakes belly button! Don't be worried!

[frankykeno]

I had killed the little mouse like... 2min before feeding, if that. Is it possible for it too loose so much heat that the snake can't detect it as easily?

Yes it is possible. Also this is a very young snake. Young predators make mistakes when they hunt. Just make sure the prey is warm enough and that you aren't too close and putting off a confusing secondary heat signature and I'm sure your snake will sort it out.

[CopperNightShade]

Now that I think of it, he struck out at his hidebox that sits over his basking spot... perhaps the 90degree box was masking the heat of the mouse. I'll try feeding him on the opposite side of the cage from now on. Is there any chance he injured himself biting the plastic box?