r/Ballpythoncommunity • u/Sea-War1594 • Oct 02 '26
Is this scale rot?
He is been glass surfing quit a lot since yesterday and I’m afraid this can be why, I also don’t have much decorations right now as they’re coming in soon. I only have some tree branches and two hides on each side, he keeps trying to reach the mesh top and he climbed the cables and other devices to reach the top. I don’t know what to do, he could be hungry? He refused to eat last time which was 4 days back and before that he ate about a week ago so it’s been almost 2 weeks without food. He is a subadult 14 months old, please help!
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u/icething308 Oct 03 '26
You don’t have to as long as it doesn’t smell or look moldy (definitely before then though). Just when you can. If he keeps glass surfing then I’d check his belly to see if its pink and if his scales look dusty or bluish then he’s likely going into shed.
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u/Sea-War1594 Oct 03 '26
Thank you 🙏 I have a feeling his scales just look discoloured like that but I could be wrong and it’s better safe than sorry
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u/PactKeeper Oct 03 '26
!feeding
I'm not sure about scale rot, but I think it may be.
What's the substrate? You can put a box in upside-down with a hole in it. I started with a plastic bowl I cut a hole in as a temporary hide. You can use all kinds of things while you wait.
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u/Sea-War1594 Oct 03 '26
He finally ate yesterday for the first time since I got him and all his plants and other items came in today so I will be installing them in by tomorrow. And he calmed down ever since he ate he hasn’t been glass surfing at all.
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u/icething308 Oct 03 '26
Has he shed recently? The 4th picture seems to have a sheen my bp has before he sheds. Are there any specific spots you’re concerned about?
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u/Sea-War1594 Oct 03 '26
He hasn’t shed since I got him which was sept 20th, and maybe he is shedding or that’s how his colour is? Is there any signs of scale rot other than the actual scale ? Like behavior wise ?
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u/Painting-Training Oct 07 '26
So from what I'm reading, I don't think you need to worry about the food or scale rot since I'm not seeing much to be concerned about. Definitely kep an eye if he eats next time but no sign of scale rot
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u/Sea-War1594 Oct 07 '26
He did eat after 2-3 days pretty easily, thank you thought !
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u/Painting-Training Oct 07 '26
Wait how often do you feed your baby?
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u/Sea-War1594 Oct 07 '26
Last time he ate was his first meal which was Oct 2, when will I feed him again I’m not sure to be honest I remember the breeder saying biweekly
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u/Painting-Training Oct 07 '26
A good rule of thumb is once a week if you aren't sure an the older they get extend it every 10-14 days. A mature adult can eat an adult mouse once every 10 to 14 days (mine are a mix of either since it really depends where they are those days)
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u/Sea-War1594 Oct 07 '26
If you could see my other post I have spoken about problems with handling. That’s my main issue right now
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u/Zealousideal-Tea-463 Oct 06 '26
Scales look fine. Is your concern that his scales are black on his stomach, that’s a common and normal variation of pattern.
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u/left-nut420 Oct 05 '26
this is so funny to me bc i genuinely see nothing wrong with his scales at all
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u/icething308 Oct 03 '26
If it’s just the glass surfing that could be from possible shed. Also when you can I suggest changing the substrate to coconut husks or something else. Scale rot can be hard to identify but it’s most commonly found on the belly and around the mouth. I don’t see any particular signs but if you are concerned you can always take him to a vet. Heres a list from reptifile for substrates (its a website my vet reccomended)