Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Someone stopped by my house with a few snakes he wanted me to sex for him. The snake in question appeared to be healthy but when I went to probe it I immediately noticed the cloaca was a bit sucked inward...and it took a little extra effor to insert the probe. The snake did not appear to be dehydrated, and it was not scarred in that area or anywhere else. Looking towards the stomach the first inch of belley scales before the cloaca were just a little puffy and I thought I saw some discoloration in between the scales...namely red. The owner said the snake was doing fine, eating shedding etc. One of the other snakes he had was a bit imperfect too and I suggested a few things including taking it to a vet which I believe he will. I am just curious if this cloacal defect was a symptom of anything specific???
Tom Stevens

Hard to tell from a description and not a pic, but it sounds like bad living conditions for the snake. Sounds like wet/bacteria substrate.

Kerby...