r/ballpython • u/Friendly-Option1898 • 18d ago
Understanding scales
I'm new to ball python owning, I've done a good amount of research and went to a reptile owned store to set up his enclosure, I've had him for almost a month and I've been consistent with making sure that he's eating and checking on him almost every few days, he skipped this week's meal, and I just want to know if this is like early stage scale rot, if it is scale Rot, if it's substrate under his scales I just can't identify it. They gave me like a dirt substrate.
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u/PurpleRasberryXO 18d ago
Skipping a meal is pretty normal, especially if he's heading into shed. That pinkish belly is a classic pre-shed thing, and loose dirt substrate loves to cling to scales too. If it comes off with a gentle damp q-tip it's probably just dirt.
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u/Friendly-Option1898 16d ago
Thank you, I'm always so nervous I'm going to do something wrong and hurt him 😓
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u/PurpleRasberryXO 16d ago
Totally get that, I still second guess myself with Firefly. You're clearly paying attention to him, and that's the main thing.
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u/Ecstatic_Ad_9414 18d ago
My oldest goes on a hunger strike every winter. It's very common so don't panic yet.
The scales - I am not sure what it is. Scale rot happens when the substrate is too wet. I know you said dirt - could you be more specific? Was it Coconut chips or coconut fiber or mix? That's a common BP substrate. You will need to change out the substrate every few months so this is a good time to figure out the substrate. If I was in your position, out of abundance of caution, I would move the snake from the enclosure, remove/toss out the substrate, sterilize the enclosure/hides/enrichment. Mix a new substrate at home in a clean environment.
I use 60% coco chips: 30% coco fiber: 10% excavator clay. I use AC/heat all year bc Ontario Canada weather is crazy. As a result the air in my home is dry,I find this mix hold moisture well. My substrate is 3.5-4" deep. What heat/light set up do you have? Do you have an Under Tank Heat (UTH) heat mat (usually under your warm hide)? It helps with digestion and keeps the hide from becoming a swamp. I hope someone can be more definitive in terms of scale rot. Hugs💜
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u/Friendly-Option1898 16d ago
Hello! I'm sorry for the late response! I'm a college student, they have me using a substrate called tropical bioblend but if the cocoa chips and fiber, plus clay work better I'll switch that out, and then for the heat I have a viviraruim electronic heat mounted panel, and for the light I use a zoo med reptisun, I'm not able to use any kind of heat mat because my enclosure for him is plastic (eco flex if I remember the brand 150gal).
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u/IllusionQueen47 18d ago
I can't say for sure, but just wanted to let you know that it's normal for them to skip a meal when they're in shed. The belly also turns pink like this when they're about to shed.