Skin problem?

[joleen]

I have an 8 month old ball python, he's always had bad shedding's since i've got him but this time he has been shedding a little over a week and there has been no progress with it so finally i decided to soak him today mist of it came off except his neck since he keeps his head up. but when i took him of and had him moving in my hands to get all the loose skin to come off I have noticed he has some kind of infection on his skin towards the end of his tail.. at first I thought maybe I did that to him but he actually did shed perfectly fine in that part so I did not touch it as far as I know. I mist his tank regularly so humidity is kept at 45-50% and the temperature is 81-90 he is preferring the cooler side lately but Im pretty sure thats because its really hot out these days where I live. I usually use aspen shavings for his bedding and put a bit of mosd on one side but I've noticed he really likes hiding under the moss so I have laid it down for him in more areas around his tank, I don't know if this might have been the cause. I took a picture with my Ipod since I've had water spilled on my computer and would rather avoid turning ut on for the time being so I cant use my good camera but I can try and find a way to use it if needed.. hope i can get some help and maybe some ideas for how i should treat it or what im doung wrong thank you

[FireStorm]

How are you measuring temps/humidity? Aquarium or tub? It's hard to see what is going on in the pic, but if he is always having trouble shedding, there is definitely some sort of issue with husbandry. The infection could be scale rot, or it could be a spot that got injured during the bad shed.

[ballpythonluvr]

Definitely give us more information about you temps and humidity. It does indeed sound like your humidity is to low. The pic is not very clear but it looks like some scales may have gotten pulled off during the shedding process.

[kitedemon]

I don't see anything in the picture but is is not very clear either.

relative humidity is relative to temperature. That means 45-50% at a warm ambient temp is less water in the air than the same at a lower temp.

The other issue is the accuracy of many hygrometers is highly suspect. Digitals are very very fragile and don't like dust or dirt much and low quality analogue ones some are good some are junk, sadly the worst are ones made for the pet trade. The best are cigar humidor ones. It is also likely the reading is in error as well. I have digital ones that read 25% off of correct. Have you ever tested your hygrometer? Analogue ones a simple salt test can be done digital ones can also be checked this way but the salt test shortens their life, there are test kits you can buy.

[joleen]

I have two thermometers in the tank which is a 50 gallon tank, an Acurite digital one on the warm side and a TerraMed one on the cool side, I always check both and the TerraMed one usually shows the same temperature the acurite gives for the cool side and sane humidity. I went to a store to pyrchase somekibd of automatic mister in the past but the guy told me that it was nit nesecerry and that he keeps a humidity as low as 20% for his ball python and he us doing fine.. well mine is not which is why I keep it at 50% I can get it As high as I would like with just a little bire misting since just misting the moss will cranck it up to 50% I can mist the tank walls as well.. so what is the recommended level ? should it be higher when he is shedding? and should I use paper towels or any other bedding or is the moss ok? he seems to really like it but I don't know if irs a good choice or not.

as for his back it does seem like there are missing scales thats exactly what it looks like I just cpuldn't exlain it very well. Could he have done that from scratchin? he has a log that I mist as we that he will climb on and go under to get that skin off but it is pretty smooth nothong sticking out that could scratch him or anything...

I do belive its very bad that he has never had a good shed since we got him.. but all the supposedly snake pros ive spoke to said they keep theirs in the same conditions and it is fine for them even the breeder gave me the same information..

[Kaorte]

I think you just have some crazy humidity problems. A misting system might seem like a good idea, but there are other options.

I think a humid hide would work wonders for you. Its basically an enclosed container with a small entrance, filled with damp moss. If you place it on the warm side it will create a very humid environment that your snake can hang out in if it wants more humidity.


Another more expensive option would be to get a PVC enclosure. Glass tanks suck at holding humidity. A PVC enclosure will increase your humidity without the need to mist constantly. It will just hold moisture better.

Or you can always switch to a tub

[FireStorm]

Is the top of the tank all screen? If it is, covering it partially with foil may help hold in humidity. It is just really hard to keep the humidity high enough in tanks. Switching to a tub or PVC enclosure as someone else suggested might make your life easier.

[joleen]

we actually custom made a glass top for the tank it only has 2 circles of small holes which the lamps sit on on each side of the tank and we have a large heating pad on the warm side and a smaller one on the cool side which is turned on when it starts to get chilly outside so it is actually very easy to keep a high humidity in there I mist once every 24 hours maybe and it stays pretty much the same unless weve had the top open for any reason. at the moment it is at 63% and I havnt misted it since yestarday
and he does have a hide which is a bowl sitting upside down with an enterance over a layer off moss in the warn area and that is usually where he stays at all times the only times he changes spots is when he is shedding

[mackynz]

If everything you're saying is true then I'm stumped. I've never heard of it before, but I don't see why a BP couldn't have some sort of scale condition where it doesn't shed right even in proper conditions.

Still sounds like husbandry to me though...

[FireStorm]

How big is his water dish? Can he soak in it?