Overfeeding, Or something else?

[Holly_Berry]

Hi, I'm a newer owner of a ball python (he's also my first snake, and my mom says I'm a worry wart), he's two years old, a rescue from a pet store, then another rescue from a friend. He's been eating live small rats, every five days due to him being underweight only being at 494grams. Which I know he should be doubled, although he doesn't look skinny, I just know everyone else's male ball pythons around the same age are at least more increased in weight than he is, and I don't want it causing a future problem. He's in a 45-gallon tank with cypress substrate a CHE and a UTH controlled by a thermostat. His warm temps are 86 which I know is a tad low, and cool temps are staying around 74, humidity is at a constant 67. Identical hides on both sides along with the water dish. That's all I can think of for his husbandry.
I recently noticed some raised scales that look curled up, around his neck and some closer to his tail and mid area. I read around and checked for mites under them but they look clean underneath, and he isn't spending too much time in his waterbowl so it can't be that. I read that it could be grow feeding, which could technically be what I'm doing with him just trying to get him up to the weight I feel he should be at, But does this cause an issue for my snake? Should I maybe stop feeding him so often, and allow his scales to go back down? I just wanted to get other's opinions on it. Here are some pictures (crossing my fingers they work)

[O'Mathghamhna]

1.) Your temps are too low. Anything below 75 is too low for the cool side, and the warm side should be at least around 88-90.

2.) Your humidity is too high with temps that low. The snake doesn't appear to be in shed, so your humidity should be between 50-60 at the highest for right now unless he has stuck shed, which he doesn't appear to.

3.) Based on the pictures you've posted, this unfortunately looks like scale rot to me. I know it's a weird question, but does it smell foul? Scale rot at that stage usually emits a moldy/rancid smell. If that's the case, he needs to go to a vet ASAP.

4.) Trying to help a BP gain weight by feeding every 5 days at that size is not a good idea. You are overfeeding right now and he isn't able to fully digest the last prey you've given him by the time you offer the next. How old is he? I would feed him every 10-14 days, and feed 10% of his body weight. I know the urge to bump up their weight is strong, but these guys are slow healers, and it must be done on their time or it could lead to worse problems.

5.) You said he doesn't look skinny. If this is the case, don't compare him to others' snakes. Perhaps he is OK at this stage? Either way, space out his meals.

I would take him to a vet regardless, as long as you can find an experienced herp vet in your area. Until then, make sure you adjust the husbandry as outlined above until then. The rot is most likely due to a combination of your high humidity and low temps. An adjustment should help. Good luck!

[Holly_Berry]

1.) Your temps are too low. Anything below 75 is too low for the cool side, and the warm side should be at least around 88-90.

I know the temps aren't high enough, And I've been trying to get them higher. My next purchase is a lower watt bulb for the cooler side to help get that higher, and probably a bigger heating pad.

As for the scale rot, I've looked at a lot of pictures and information about it, and I know that his humidity is high for the temps he has. But there aren't any other signs other than just those scales, No pink belly, or patches of reddish brown on the underside. As for the smell, there isn't one other than just the substrate; everything smells fine including him. The substrate is dry, and the only dampness I apply is spraying his tank down twice, just fine misting. And the substrate dries out pretty quick after doing so, due to the screen lid and ventilation in my room.

I do however plan on taking him to the vet once I find a reputable one in my area, and because he's never been to one. But the visit may have to wait for a tad longer until funds are in my pocket.
I do plan on feeding him less often, writing the post made my mind up on that

[Fraido]

The pictures just look like bent scales from being curled up.

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[O'Mathghamhna]

I know the temps aren't high enough, And I've been trying to get them higher. My next purchase is a lower watt bulb for the cooler side to help get that higher, and probably a bigger heating pad.

Just please make sure the heating pad is being regulated with a thermostat.

As for the scale rot, I've looked at a lot of pictures and information about it, and I know that his humidity is high for the temps he has. But there aren't any other signs other than just those scales, No pink belly, or patches of reddish brown on the underside.

If you'd like to base your snake's health on pictures from the internet, that's fine. But as someone who is treating a snake with lots and lots of scale rot, ranging from mild to severe, and diagnosed as such by a reputable herp vet, I'm telling you I think it's scale rot. A pink belly has nothing to do with it; BPs get pink bellies when they're about to shed all the time. You generally won't see any other signs if it is scale rot unless its progressed to the bloodstream, in which case you will have other issues that a vet needs to look for. This looks like the early stages of it to me.

I do however plan on taking him to the vet once I find a reputable one in my area, and because he's never been to one. But the visit may have to wait for a tad longer until funds are in my pocket.I do plan on feeding him less often, writing the post made my mind up on that

Feeding less is a good idea, and please keep in mind before you acquire any new pets, rescues or not, that if you don't have the money to get them the care they require, you should hold off until you are able. In the mean time a poor animal suffers despite the best intentions.

Overall, you are doing the right thing by coming here. But don't ask for advice and then refute it based on "pictures from the internet." We are here to try to help.

[O'Mathghamhna]

The pictures just look like bent scales from being curled up.

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I can't tell if it's that, or the rawness from rot... Either way this guy needs to see a vet considering the other issues.

[Fraido]

Should take some better photos, where the raised scales are clear.

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[Holly_Berry]

Just please make sure the heating pad is being regulated with a thermostat.

I do plan on taking him to the vet soon, I have a busy schedule, I just really want to make sure I have the proper funds in case meds, or any other treatment needs to have a bit more payment for them. I've spent the last hour or so researching for a vet around my area, and I believe that I've found a good one. I've been able to pay for everything he has needed in the past, but if this is going to be costly and if he can wait just two more days then I do want to make sure I can take him, and all of his needs be met both by me, and the vet caring for him. As I had said before, the UTH is being controlled by a thermostat. I'm not trying to base his health off of pictures found on the internet, but I've read through some stuff, and I just don't think it's that. Thank you for the help, though, I do appreciate the advice, and like I had said, I'm still working on his temps, but in the meantime, until I do take him, I'll make sure the humidity isn't too high. He'll be taken to the vet no later than at the end of the week.

- - - Updated - - -

Should take some better photos, where the raised scales are clear.

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Good Idea! I'll try taking some more tomorrow when he's sitting more still, and there is better light.

[O'Mathghamhna]

Good Idea! I'll try taking some more tomorrow when he's sitting more still, and there is better light.

This is a great idea. It's possible it's something else, but none of mine ever look like this except the one with rot. Just coiling shouldn't be causing this.

[Holly_Berry]

This is a great idea. It's possible it's something else, but none of mine ever look like this except the one with rot. Just coiling shouldn't be causing this.

Do you think it could be from more excessive feeding though? The thing I had read said that sometimes because their belly expands, then the scales won't lay completely flat. Just wanted to ask about that.