Pink Cloaca but Not Pink Belly

[ae88weaver]

I fed my normal BP a fuzzy mouse Tuesday night and last night (Wednesday) and today, I noticed that from his cloaca down, it is a pink color. His belly is not pink at all to indicate he is about to shed, it is just his vent area. I don't think he has shed since he was born 12 weeks ago (if my memory hasn't failed me). I'm not sure if this is normal for a BP after they eat or if maybe he is pre-pre-shed. He is acting normal... Any advice, suggestions, or ideas as to what this hue of pink may be? Thanks everyone!

[JLC]

A clear picture would help. Where'd you get him? Are you sure he's never shed in 12 weeks since hatching?? How are you heating the enclosure? Any chance he may have burned himself?

[ae88weaver]

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...0/101_1017.jpg
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...0/101_1016.jpg
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...0/cloaca15.jpg
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...0/cloaca14.jpg
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file.../0/cloaca1.jpg
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...0/cloaca13.jpg

Above are the pictures I took... I'm sorry for the lack of detail but I tried my best... Thanks again for all your help!

[ae88weaver]

A clear picture would help. Where'd you get him? Are you sure he's never shed in 12 weeks since hatching?? How are you heating the enclosure? Any chance he may have burned himself?

I got him from a man who's been breeding BPs for a year now.. He's very knowledgable and has been a major help... I'm using a UTH and just added a red bulb to keep the ambient temps ups... I thought the breeder said he hadn't shed yet but I may be wrong... No chance of a burn, the belly heat has not gotten above 93 and it usually stays around 91. The cold side stays around 80. Ambient ranges from 76 to 80. Humidity is on the higher end, 60s-80, but I'm working on that. He has two identical hides, a bark bridge, a water bowl, newspaper substrate, and newspaper wads to fill space... I'm using a thermostat, a digital thermometer, and a thermometer/hygrometer combo for measurements. The digital thermometer is measuring belly heat and the therm/hygro combo is used for ambient temps... Pics coming in like five minutes.

[JLC]

Well...based on your description of the setup...and the pictures you linked to...it doesn't look to me like you have anything to worry about. Looks like he may be at the start of the shed cycle (whether he's shed once already or not, he's probably due!)...and maybe gonna leave you a nice stinky present along with the shed. I would expect that pink coloration to spread across the whole belly...but I would try not to bug him much to keep checking.

[ae88weaver]

I just checked with the breeder and he shed twice before I bought him... I'm sorry for the confusion, I don't know where I got the mix up

[Sarin]

He's gonna blow!!!