Scratches?

[RiA MaU]

Hello. When I went to see Kayly this evening, I noticed something weird about her belly. She's always had a slight, pinkish tint to her belly. She's had it since I got her and since it never changed, I figured it was just natural coloration. I noticed when I saw her (I only see her ever week or two, depending on if she's fasting or whatever), the pink on part of her belly was darker. It was as if it were irritated. At first I thought burn maybe? But it doesn't look like it. She's heated with a UTH hooked to a thermostat set to 90° surface temp. Also, when I looked closer, it looked like it could be a big scrape of some sort. I was told by the friend who's keeping her that the last rat she ate fought back more than the others and, though she tried to keep any damage from happening, she thinks that might be what happened. I also noticed some individual damaged scales on a couple spots of her back. Does it look like scrapes or scratches? Or might it be something else? I'm not looking for a list of reasons I shouldn't be feeding live, so if that's what you're going to give me, please leave. Thank you. I will switch her soon.

[AlexisFitzy]

If her belly is getting pinker than she is probably just going into shed. The lines on the belly aren't very concerning to me. Scales are pretty flexible and will dent or bend sometimes depending on what the snake has been doing. Usually just from making themselves comfortable in a tight fitting hide. They don't look like scratches to me but if they are they will go away when the old skin is replaced.


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[RiA MaU]

Alright. She finished shedding about three weeks ago and she's been a consistent monthly shedder since I got her so that's probably it.

[melcvt00]

What is your heat source? Are you using something under the bottom at all? If you are, is it regulated?

[RiA MaU]

What is your heat source? Are you using something under the bottom at all? If you are, is it regulated?

Please refer to the original post where I specifically name my heat source. UTH regulated with a thermostat. Thank you.

[melcvt00]

Sorry....it's what happens when I am reading and replying early in the morning.

[RiA MaU]

Sorry....it's what happens when I am reading and replying early in the morning.

You're good.