My ball python had a pretty bad belly burn...

[Sacstate707]

So, my ball lucy, had a substantial belly burn from her previous owners. the fools put the UNDER tank heater INSIDE the tank with the snake. so, as you can imagine she incurred pretty bad burns. I took her to the vet and he gave me a round of inject-able antibiotics and some burn cream. It all went away for the most part after her next shed, and now all thats left is a fraction of the dead skin that was there before. I was going to take her back to the vet for a follow up, but he charges 40 bucks. no bueno. so my main problem ( now that you have her background) is that i can not get her to eat! ive tried live, fresh killed, F/T and nothing. she seems more afraid of the mouse then interested in it. its been almost 2 months since shes eaten, and im getting worried. im wondering if it could be that shes just stressed from me poking and prodding her and washing her and what not. so, any ideas? ill give you her set up at the end.


20 gal long tank
1 100 watt heat bulb
zoo med heating pad ( havent been using because of belly burn)
temp on hot side about 90
temp on cold side 75 to 80

[The Serpent Merchant]

I'm sure that it is stress related. BP's can go over a year without eating, so as stressful as it is your BP isn't in danger yet.

Do you have a thermostat for the UTH? (I know that you aren't using it yet...)

[Sacstate707]

no i havent got a thermostat yet. Im in college so im slowly piecing together my perfect tank. i will get one as soon as possible thought. i also need another light for day light simulation. right now im just using natural light.

[The Serpent Merchant]

ok, well don't use the UTH until you have a thermostat, they can get up to 150+ degrees unregulated.

Don't bother with the thermostats sold in pet stores, they are dusk and not worth your money.

Here is a good one if you are on a budget.

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

You really don't need anything more than natural light as far as Day/Night cycling... nor should you drop temperatures at night. (but having one is fine)

BP's in the wild hide in rodent burrows and termite mounds during the day, and come out at night... so they rarely see daylight.

[Sacstate707]

ok thanks. ya ive been using petco for most things. there's a guy there that has a burmese and has been giving me good advice. but i figured i would get better advice on here. I usually keep the light on all the time because it's red and doesnt seem to bother her. its been kind of tough to keep the temp and humidity up because I have her on news paper and paper towels until the burn is completely healed.

[Slim]

im slowly piecing together my perfect tank.

Sorry, but there is no such creature as the perfect tank. PVC cages are as close as you can get to the perfect tank.

[Sacstate707]

I just want my snake to have the best habitat! I have suc a hard time keeping the humidity and the temp just right. If shes not happy I'm not happy!

[abrunsen]

Sorry, but there is no such creature as the perfect tank. PVC cages are as close as you can get to the perfect tank.

I know a lot of people don't prefer tanks, but I don't think its fair to say tanks can't be perfect... My husbandry in my tank is spot on with what it should be and I rarely have to maintain it.... Granted, I will be switching my girl to a tub here shortly because it is more convenient.

[Slim]

I know a lot of people don't prefer tanks, but I don't think its fair to say tanks can't be perfect... My husbandry in my tank is spot on with what it should be and I rarely have to maintain it.... Granted, I will be switching my girl to a tub here shortly because it is more convenient.

Ahhhhhhhh, ok

[Rob]

Two very important things in keeping bps, heat and humidity. Glass tanks keep both poorly. Once you go rack, you won't go back.