Going to shed or something else?

[Zombree]

Hello, I have two topics to discuss.

I was wondering if anyone could please take a look at my boa and give their thoughts on his belly? He is due for a shed but his belly isn't usually this pink. I am a little paranoid at this point because his scales are looking a bit beat up as well and someone mentioned that was an early sign of scale rot. It is very humid where I live, so much so that my veterinarian suggested I use Good Choice aspen bark shavings to dry out the tubs a bit to keep from being overly wet and thick in air quality. I am noticing beat up scales on a lot of my animals now and I am not sure if it's me looking way too hard to find something or if there is something up. So my topics are scale rot and pink belly, sorry to throw them together. The first picture is of my boa's belly. The second is of my ball python's (one of them) beat up scales.

P.S Can anyone please tell me if my boa is a BCI or BCC? He was sold to me as a BCI Columbian, but I know so little about boa subspecies. I'll post a third photo to give a better glimpse on him. Thank you entirely.

[CloudtheBoa]

If it was sold to you as Colombian BCI, that's most likely what it is, but you won't know for sure without knowing its heritage.

The boa's belly looks fine to me. When my boa sheds, his belly gets a little wrinkly and the pinkness varies so sometimes it doesn't look pink and sometimes it looks almost bright red. It always goes right back to normal once he sheds. I'm not really seeing anything on the ball python except for a scale right above its eyes that looks like maybe it's dried out a bit.

[Zombree]

Thanks for your words on the belly, that makes me feel a lot better knowing the pink look can vary each shed. On my ball python, Neltharion, his head scales had these blisters on him a few days ago so I put antibiotic ointment on the area. The little crinkled scales are what is left over. I hope it's just the blisters getting better. What caused those I really have no idea, none of my other snakes had blisters- but some of their scales are looking a little rough. I am probably over analyzing on that one, but the blisters had me a little cautious. Thank you

[Zombree]

If it was sold to you as Colombian BCI, that's most likely what it is, but you won't know for sure without knowing its heritage.

I bought him from a very distasteful breeder so I wasn't sure, thanks!

EDIT: Backwater reptiles before I knew anything about them. I love my boa, but I hate backwater. I was mostly confused because I bought a "common boa" and then they sent me an email saying "we upgraded you to a BCI Columbian". So it's been kind of in the air since I got him back in 2013.

[CloudtheBoa]

Thanks for your words on the belly, that makes me feel a lot better knowing the pink look can vary each shed. On my ball python, Neltharion, his head scales had these blisters on him a few days ago so I put antibiotic ointment on the area. The little crinkled scales are what is left over. I hope it's just the blisters getting better. What caused those I really have no idea, none of my other snakes had blisters- but some of their scales are looking a little rough. I am probably over analyzing on that one, but the blisters had me a little cautious. Thank you

No problem, and I'm sure more people will chime in with their opinions as well.

Ah, alright. I couldn't tell it was from blisters, so it must be getting better. It doesn't look like there's anymore blisters, but it wouldn't hurt to just keep an eye on everything to make sure they don't come back. The ball python is looking good, though, so there's probably no cause for alarm.

I bought him from a very distasteful breeder so I wasn't sure, thanks!

Colombians are the most common boa constrictor in the pet trade, so that's usually what you get. Sometimes they're crossed with other subs, but usually you won't know for sure without knowing the breeding history behind the animal.

[Zombree]

No problem, and I'm sure more people will chime in with their opinions as well.

Ah, alright. I couldn't tell it was from blisters, so it must be getting better. It doesn't look like there's anymore blisters, but it wouldn't hurt to just keep an eye on everything to make sure they don't come back. The ball python is looking good, though, so there's probably no cause for alarm.



Colombians are the most common boa constrictor in the pet trade, so that's usually what you get. Sometimes they're crossed with other subs, but usually you won't know for sure without knowing the breeding history behind the animal.

Yeah I was afraid to say blisters because usually blisters are a BAD sign across the board with snakes. I am checking on him everyday and the scale damage is seeming to lessen, thankfully. Oh, someone told me scale rot was contagious? I think they were trying to mess with me because they know I freak out easy, but just in case, load of crap or no?

And for your words on the boa, thank you as well. I am hoping he is a Columbian because the same someone told me that "common boas" are nippy as hell. But Columbians are nicer?
I don't know about all that, but Vendetta has never struck or bit me once. Is that bit true? "Commons" have a feistier attitude?
Thanks!

[bcr229]

Commons/Columbians are usually pretty chill, it's the smaller locality boas that are known for being more nippy and defensive, though most settle with gentle and consistent handling. Your boy looks like a fairly typical BCI to me.

[ElliotNess]

They gave you a BCI as they said. Those are gorgeous snakes, I have a few myself. There are tons of boa "morphs" out there now and I still think that besides coral that "plain old boas" are gorgeous.

[Zombree]

This is off my phone so autocorrect might get me, be warned. Thanks for all the advice. Very good information. I am buying Vendetta a pretty girlfriend here soon, but she is a Guyana subspecies. Is that a type that is smaller? Larger is better in my eyes. More to play with

[Zombree]

Oh and when I say girlfriend, I don't mean I'll be breeding them right away. I realize that could have come off wrong. In any case, when I get her in a couple months, she will be a future girlfriend xD