| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kyliebam |
Posted - 18/12/2011 : 15:28:33
I adopted a 4 year old Female Royal python from a friend of a friend a month ago, she wasn't very well looked after, they seemed to have got her purley because having a snake would be 'cool'! But since getting her she has become very happy and is in the perfect environment, thanks to all the information on this site! She is feeding well and shedded about 3-4 weeks ago.
I am new too snakes and she is my first. I have noticed rough patches of scales, well its more like lifting scales on her underneath, I am unsure if this is a health problem or something due to shedding, she shedded within 2 days of me having her so I'm unsure if she had this before. Everything else is ok with her just this is worrying me a little.
My vivarium is wooden and is lined with newspaper and has orchid park covering it. She has a large rock pool, 2 wooden hides & a climbing branch. I have a large heat matt under the vivarium and the heat is controlled with the thermostat and I have a hydrometer. I regularly check the conditions are correct. I don't know if any of that could be the cause?
She is very friendly, and has even recognized my scent all ready, and often comes to me when I open the vivarium. So she doesn't seem to be in any pain or anything. It doesn't seem to hurt her to touch either.
If anyone could give me a little information I would be extremely grateful as I have tried so hard (and spent a small fortune) to make her happy after a crappy time with her last owner. I am absolutely besotted with her and she has quickly become part of the family. So any help would be fantastic!!
Thank you :)
Kylie |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kyliebam |
Posted - 18/12/2011 : 19:21:10
Thank you burned it doe sound just like that, so I won't worry now!!
The lady at the local reptile shop advised me that the heat mat would be better, but a friend of mine who has 3 snakes has told me it can cause burning and other problems, so that was my next thing to look into so thanks for the advice :)
And thank you all for the welcome :):) |
| n/a |
Posted - 18/12/2011 : 16:20:15
LOL - yes indeed, every snake is like a new baby - we all worry about doing the right thing - and as Kelf and GMac say, there are no stupid questions. |
| Kelfezond |
Posted - 18/12/2011 : 16:06:02
Yep there are no stupid questions :) if you can't see it I wouldn't worry about it to be honest when you get your first snake you become a first time mum and end up at your local reptile shop every ten minutes asking questions lol sounds like you're going to be a great owner :D |
| n/a |
Posted - 18/12/2011 : 16:05:47
Hi and welcome and congrats on the rescue. I think what you're describing is absolutely normal - as snakes move and grip with their belly scales, the scales do move, a bit like very short fur being brushed the wrong way. Is this what you're noticing? Because if so, it's fine.
Sorry to fuss, though, but you say the wooden vivarium is on top of a heat mat? If it's directly touching the mat, I'm afraid this could be dangerous as the mat can overheat - the same as if a heavy bodied adult royal was basking on even a statted mat. This is one of my pet grouses by the way - why on earth if I, a normal sized human, can bask on my electric blanket all night, can't a safe heat mat, with proper guards against thermal blocking, be manufactured for a snake? As things are at the moment, they're not.
I'm really sorry to bring bad news like this, but for an adult royal, overhead heating such as an infra red or ceramic (lightless) bulb, guarded and statted, is the safest form of heating. Heat mats are fine for slim snakes such as corns etc., but royals tend to be too tubby.
Here is a thread that goes into all the pros and cons of setting up for a royal -
http://www.theroyalpython.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5183
it will explain things more clearly than I can, but in the meantime, again congrats on getting her and giving her a loving home, and welcome to the wacky world of royals!
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| GMac |
Posted - 18/12/2011 : 15:50:46
welcome along Kyliebam, and dont worry about asking questions you dont know the answer to. If you dont know the answer its not a daft question ;) |
| kyliebam |
Posted - 18/12/2011 : 15:45:55
That's the thing when you look at her belly you can't really see anything wrong, maybe just slight raised, its only when you feel her going along your hand or arm etc? I don't think it is anything, I think I'm just being paranoid. It sounds like what you've just described so now I feel daft! |
| Kelfezond |
Posted - 18/12/2011 : 15:34:32
A photograph might help here kylie, i've never encountered anything like what you are mentioning in any of my royals however my big boa often has a few scales that look as if they've been pushed up, they're nothing to worry about on her but as you've said it's the belly it would be good to look into it.
well done on a good rescue as welll |
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