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fjfenton
Yearling
United Kingdom
221 Posts |
 Posted - 15/11/2009 : 21:34:33
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Doug, my 04 male royal is making a mess of his belly. He keeps climbing on his viv 'furniture', particularly the ceramic guard, and he keeps falling down. But whilst climbing/falling he is catching and pulling his belly scales. up until now they have looked a bit rough but tonight i have noticed they have got a more pink tinge like he has grazed himself. I am bathing his tummy in iodine solution to prevent infection (although there are no visible 'breaks'/cuts in his scales). There is no blood, no mites, the temperatures are OK, I have not changed any of his set-up. He has not done this before, and none of my other snakes which have identical set-ups are behaving oddly. The only noticeable change to him is he stopped eating a couple of weeks ago...but he does this every year! I did wonder if it was his hormones as my female is in the next viv?
Does anyone have any suggestions what might be causing this behaviour, and how can I prevent him hurting himself? 
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bengy_s
Yearling
United Kingdom
252 Posts |
Posted - 15/11/2009 : 21:48:53
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They do climb if they can, they just aren't very good at it!
Have you got a photo of the "pink tinge like scales"? That is the only concern I would have at this point. I would suggest that if there is anything high up in his viv then remove it or lower it because as I said, they're not good climbers. |
 R.I.P Chester |
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Blackecho
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
11327 Posts |
Posted - 15/11/2009 : 21:49:49
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| Is he hunting for a mate do you think? |
 
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bengy_s
Yearling
United Kingdom
252 Posts |
Posted - 15/11/2009 : 21:50:04
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| Reference to the taking photos, close ups are good. Obviously you might need someone else to hold him or the camera. |
R.I.P Chester |
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fjfenton
Yearling
United Kingdom
221 Posts |
Posted - 15/11/2009 : 22:23:11
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I will try an get pics ASAP...I don't want to get him out again today as he has already been out so I could bathe his tummy, so don't want to stress him.
I have removed all 'funiture' except his water bowl and hot & cold hides.... |
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fjfenton
Yearling
United Kingdom
221 Posts |
Posted - 15/11/2009 : 22:28:28
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| meant to add that when I was bathing his tummy scales i had a good look at them and the pink tinge seems to be where the scales attach (almost like if you bend your nail back), and it is only on about a third of his body, starting about 4 inches down from his head (ie appears to be where he tries to hold on with). Also, he doesn't seem to be in any discomfort...he was active and explorative as normal when i had him out and didn't flinch or anything when i touched and bathed his tummy |
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boze
Yearling
United Kingdom
408 Posts |
Posted - 15/11/2009 : 22:30:00
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| Maybe coming up for a shed? Sals tummy scales go pink before her eyes go blue... |
0.1.0. Royal (Salmissra)
0.0.1. Western Hognose (Spiderman)
quote:
Originally posted by ruxpin64
I'm so happy I may lay on my back and pee in the air like a baby!
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fjfenton
Yearling
United Kingdom
221 Posts |
Posted - 15/11/2009 : 22:35:11
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quote:
Originally posted by boze
Maybe coming up for a shed? Sals tummy scales go pink before her eyes go blue...
I know what you mean but hes not coming up to shed to the best of my knowledge and when he does his belly also goes an orangey-pink...this is different and seems more localised at the base of each scale, also the edges of the scales are a bit ragged where they look like they've broken off a bit where he has caught himself |
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matty18714
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2016 Posts |
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bengy_s
Yearling
United Kingdom
252 Posts |
Posted - 16/11/2009 : 22:24:08
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Yeah I wouldn't think the behaviour is a big concern. As said I think the photos will be needed as the pink scales are probably from the climbing but anything is a guess without photos.
You said temps are fine. Is the viv substrate nice and dry? Your doing the right thing to bathe the belly but if the substrate is wet it can lead to scale rot. Does the scales look ANYTHING like this?
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/1382/p1010574sa5.jpg
I imagine not so bad as you are treating it. If the edges have any darkness around the pink then please take him to the vets. In particularly around the areas where you say the scales appear "broken"? |
R.I.P Chester |
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behaviour help
