Posted by:
wohlerswi
at Tue Nov 30 09:49:36 2010 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by wohlerswi ]
"Unless you are using a hot rock or have a hot spot above 100 degrees, I'd expect a shed in about 10 days."
The substrate being damp is a very pliable reason. Heat has nothing to do with it! Those are not burns. The pink belly is caused, like I said in my previous reply, by excess moisture or a shed cycle. They will get a pink belly very quickly sitting on damp anything and now that you explained about the damp paper and water bowl spill, I am leaning toward humidity issues. When a snake sits on a damp area it causes a humidity pocket. This humidity gets trapped under the scales irritating the skin (which gives it the pink appearance). It can actually lead to blisters and lesions pretty easily if it isn't dried out. They will shed either way when this happens so you can't say "Oh it shed it's skin today, it is fine, thats all it was." Snakes will slough their skin to try and clear up any issues going on. Either way humidity issues, or shed cycle the end result is going to be the same. Do not dismiss this as Jessica has suggested as only a shed, but look closely at the humidity. Make sure it has a proper shed, and when it does check out the belly. If the belly looks clear then continue to use proper husbandry techniques (never let them sit in water or on anything wet for prolonged periods), check temps etc. but if it isn't clear after the shed then definitely go to your herp vet. They usually proscribe something topical that works well if caught in time.
Will Wohlers
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no...not really! - wohlerswi, Tue Nov 30 09:49:36 2010