On my college campus, the Biology department has a few snakes used by students for research (snake behavior research, not testing things on the animals). I'm just beginning to work with the animals and noticed something strange about our smaller ball python. It had retained eyecaps but I got those off by gently pressing some tape to them. It has some sort of...whitish-yellow thing plugging up one of its nostrils. First I thought the poor thing had been born with only one but there's something in there. I thought maybe it was leftover from a shed but I tried water and gentle rubbing, which the snake did not like at all, but nothing. Has anyone ever heard of anything like this before? I just hope the snake isn't ill because the guy that owns the snakes is reluctant to take them to the vet and we had a Chinese ratsnake die over the summer from an infected abcess.
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Lab ball python
Replies (4)
Sounds like he needs to be reported to the proper authorities , and as for the Ball is I have never seen any thing like that , it needs to be seen by a Vet. David
It is a scabby, stuck shed clogging the nostril. The lining of the nostril did not shed, apparently, and that will continue to build up if not addressed.
Sounds like it needs good basic husbandry in general.
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robyn@proexotics.com
pretty much only two things i can think of that would block a nostril like that. Shed that didn't come off (a good soak in luke warm water should do it. Just fill a large tub with a few inches of water (or deep enough the snake can completely submerge) water temp should be about 75-80F so should feel a little cool to us (our body temp is typically 96F so if it feels warm, then its too hot)).
Only other thing is mucus which could be signs of an upper respiratory infection. (should notice both nostrils have this gunk and maybe wheezing from the snake).
Also, increase the humidity of his cage, and/or add a moist hide. Being in a more appropriately humid environment will help prevent unshed eye caps and blocked nostrils from shedding in the future.
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PHLdyPayne
It is only in the one nostril and it's dry, so I think Robyn may be right about it being stuck shed. If soaking the snake doesn't resolve the issue, I'd like to take the snake to the vet but the owner seems reluctant to do that, judging by the last snake. Honestly, I'd rather take it myself and take the snake off his hands but it'd have to stay in the lab for another year...though that would give me an excuse to visit the snakes more often.
