Hi all,

I've had my ball python (Bowen) for about 2 months now (he was probably a month old before I got him, so he's 3 months total). He just shed for the second time since I've had him (between midnight last night and this morning at 11am when I checked again). It looks like he's shed properly (i.e. no skin left on eyes, etc), so I thought I would handle him a bit and give him some food (since he hasn't been interested in food since he started going into shed).

He seemed pretty unhappy to be picked up, jerking his body this way and that to avoid me (probably as I haven't handled him with any regularity since he started into shed). Not that he was upset enough to bite or anything - just was tricky to grab.

Anyhow, while handling him I noticed a small streak of blood on his scales, about 2/3 down his body on his back. It's about 1/2 inch long, and extremely thin (about the width of a needle) - you wouldn't notice it at a glance (I noticed it as I was checking to see how his shed went, looking at all his scales to see if there was anything unusual).

On pressing very lightly on it, he squirmed away from my touch (though again it could be that he's re-getting used to being handled). I was able to dab away a bit (just with a cloth and water), but I wasn't able to get it entirely. I went over his body as best I could, and there doesn't seem to be a cut or wound or anything that could have caused it.

So my question is, is there anything I should do about it? His enclosure is at a good humidity (between 60% + 75%), he's got the right heat, he had a big soaking bucket in there while shedding, and other than the bit of blood (and his slight aversion to being handled right now), he seems fine and great (he has no problems moving that I can tell, no wheezing, belly is a nice white, no black, missing, or chipped scales, etc).

Anyone have any ideas what may have caused it? I will post a picture once he stops being so squirmy (if it's even still there). Am I worrying about nothing?

Thanks all . And I know from my past posts that everyone would like pictures of him either way - I haven't gotten around to it yet, but hopefully in the next couple days will put up some nice pics of Bowen.

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