Please Help ASAP something is wrong with my BP

[Snapshot]

Somethings wrongs wrong with my 7 year-old ball python. He is for lack of a better description very, lethargic. When I left for work this morning he seemed to be fine but when this evening when I came home he was/still is laying approximately a 1/4 the way out of his hide box located on the cool side of the terrarium. His only movement at all was minimal when I moved a branch that he was partially touching. His skin seems sorta dull. This is so not like him but I can't figure out what's wrong or what to do.

I though maybe something had gone wrong with the temperature but when I checked the min/max on the most centrally located thermometer (1 of the 3 that is slightly on the cooler side of center & about 6'' from the bottom) was 79.9 F / 86.9 F. He has a hide box on both sides & is comfortable with either. He has a larger water bowl (cool end) with fresh water daily. The humidity as be 39% to 51% the last several days. He last ate last Thursday.

Please, any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated! I have never ever seen him like this. To be honest for a moment I was afraid he had died...

[crisstyle21]

Hey No worries Looks like the Bp wants to shed. Its growing up grwing things in different places. Nah im playing. But yeah he should be sheeding so on a daily basis keep him soaked he should clear up. then shed 2 or 3 days after clearing up.

[Purrrfect9]

Somethings wrongs wrong with my 7 year-old ball python. He is for lack of a better description very, lethargic. When I left for work this morning he seemed to be fine but when this evening when I came home he was/still is laying approximately a 1/4 the way out of his hide box located on the cool side of the terrarium. His only movement at all was minimal when I moved a branch that he was partially touching. His skin seems sorta dull. This is so not like him but I can't figure out what's wrong or what to do.

I though maybe something had gone wrong with the temperature but when I checked the min/max on the most centrally located thermometer (1 of the 3 that is slightly on the cooler side of center & about 6'' from the bottom) was 79.9 F / 86.9 F. He has a hide box on both sides & is comfortable with either. He has a larger water bowl (cool end) with fresh water daily. The humidity as be 39% to 51% the last several days. He last ate last Thursday.

Please, any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated! I have never ever seen him like this. To be honest for a moment I was afraid he had died...

* edit* Just re-read that and saw that it was the min/ max of one of the thermometers

It could be possible that he's shedding, like it was mentioned before, but if you're truely concerned, I would advise to go see a reptile vet. It's extremely difficult to diagnose anything over the internet, and it's better to have a reptile vet look over him and make sure everything's ok, than to have something go wrong.

[crisstyle21]

Hey do you know how a Bp looks like when they shed? If so and you know hes not gonna shed. Go to a Reptile Vet

[JLC]

You mention your BP is seven years old....but you don't say how long you've had him. Seems like he has a good environment, and if you've only had him for a short time, I'd be willing to guess that it's normal BP behavior and possible that he's getting ready to shed.


If you've had him for a long time and are really familiar with his routines and shedding process and you're SURE he's not going to shed and is truly acting differently....then definitely get him to a vet and have him checked out.

BP's are very lazy snakes, for lack of a better way of putting it. When they're in a new environment, they can seem really active and inquisitive as they explore and assure themselves they have the whole enclosure to themselves and nothing is going to compete with them for those cozy little caves and warm spots. But once they get settled in and have established their territory....they're apt to just lay there and be very...chill.

[porangi.chris]

I've gotta agree with everything has been said and as a new dad I have just been through all those emotions. Brian spent three days behaving like a teenage terrorist in his viv and then wammo he sits down and don't move for like three days. Then I notice the eyes that blue haze I normally get after a bottle of rum. Anyway a few more days pass with no activity and then bam we are back to normal with a few old clothes lying around the viv.

Going to develop a website soon for some other projects but was thinking that I amy develop a new concept called 'Snake TV' hosted by Brian. It would envolve lots of laying around doing basically nothing but would allow me to keep an eye on him when I'm not in the house. I know he's up to mischief!!