Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys. Well as my title says, Im new to having a pet snake. I did a lot of research on it before I got my ball python but I think something is wrong.

I have a 20 gallon tank(20 x 12 x 10) with Terrarium Liner, a water rock, one of the tree hiding spots and rock hiding spot. I keep it at a constant 75 degrees and a heat lamp on the right side.

She is 8 weeks old and I got her this past Monday. My issue is that Ive noticed that on the end half of her she seems to be a little bloated. She seems to be packing a lot of air. When I pic her up and gently poke it feels like a balloon. Her first half is nice and strong with no signs of gas.

Is this normal?

It could be food and she's ready to poop but.... I've got this horrible mental image of a half bloated snake... probably needs a vet...

Where did you get it if you don't mind telling- pet store-- private breeder-- no names needed-- just helps-- pet stores are notorious for HORRIBLE conditions so it may answer some questions.

~Beth
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Until there are none, Rescue One! Get ready to welcome the new and improved Oklahoma Animal Rescue Group -- Just a few weeks away from getting our 501c3 status!!!!!

Heya.

She still moves around her aquarium and keeps flicking her tongue so Im sort of feeling okay about it.

Anywaya, I got her from my cousin who bought her from a pet store named Herpeton(sp?) in Austin. Shes when shes on the ground she looks fine, but when I hold her I can feel the difference.

I still havent fed her since I read its good to wait a week or so in her new home before I feed her.

ya- wait a week or so and try and feed her-- Sounds like she is just ready to poop-- some of mine get a bit squishy at the rear when they are ready to go (back in the cage asap for them-- or they go on my carpet lol!)
Leave her alone and let her cruise around and get used to her cage and then try and feed. If the balloon-y spot doesn't go away- she may need a vet check.

Anyway- congrats!

~Beth
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Until there are none, Rescue One! Get ready to welcome the new and improved Oklahoma Animal Rescue Group -- Just a few weeks away from getting our 501c3 status!!!!!

Thank You very much Beth. Yea, she seems to be cruising around fine so I wont worry about it for now then. Ill make sure she keeps moving around and watch her for a while.

You did a lot of research but you are using a heat lamp and keeping your Ball Python at 75F?

Typo. I try to have it between 80 - 85. I keep it at a constant 85 whenever possible. I'm in Austin TX so 75 would require too much work.

It could just be that she has to poop or it could be she is having a hard time digesting her last meal - if the meal rots in her it could kill her.

Get rid of the heat lamp and the screen top -- get yourself an undertank heater, thermostat and something to cover the top with - plexiglass works great and is cheap.

Good luck with your new ball.
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Tosha
JET Pythons
Toshas Blog

Herp Medicine does not equal a bottle of Baytril - Dr. Scott Stahl

she last ate a week ago. So I'm assuming if she doesn't poop or get slimmer in a day or so take her to a vet.

For her enclosure, are there anything you recommend ? I have a generic glass tank and was looking at some bigger ones with a slide in top. The heat pad sounds like a good idea. I will replace the lamp. Any pad you recommend?

I agree, it sounds like you have temperature issues. "One temp" is not a good thing, you want a temp gradient, so that the animal can choose an appropriate temp as needed.

And how are you taking the temperature? Dial thermometer, strip, temp gun? If you are guessing, you are really going to have problems. And soon.

Filled with poop is one thing, looking like a "balloon" is a much different thing.

Provide a hot spot of 90F, and a cool spot in the low 80's for the day.

Get rid of the tree hide spots, and get a copy of one of the McCurley Ball python books, available here on the classifieds.

Your previous research indeed sounds like horrible advice. Get a copy of that book, best of luck.
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robyn@proexotics.com

ShipYourReptiles.com
Pro Exotics Reptiles

Thank you very much. I was hoping it wasn't anything bad but I'd rather be safe than sorry for myself and my snake.

I check temp via a strip and an acurite therm. Have one on each side so that I can see the temp on two different methods. Ill warm it up a bit more too.

Thank you

How about a picture of both your snake (showing the balloon end) and your current set up. Often descriptions can be deceptive and what you think is bloated may be normal for another, or something that needs immediate attention.

Also be good to know how old the snake is. Weight and length if you don't know the hatch date.
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PHLdyPayne

Give her a nice warm bath. If the water feels warm to you it is already above 98.6 degrees, be careful! Let her soak in 1 or 2 inches of tepid water for twenty minutes and she will pass that balloon, some white urates stuff and a bunch of other ewww goooo and be tip-top ready for a rat in no time...and the cage wont get dirty,

Feeling warm to us is NOT 98o.
Use a themometer to check the temp! 'feel' is arbitrary to your hands temperature.
98o is our INTERNAL temp, our hands are as warm as the environment we are in.
If it is cold in your house, any temp abover room temp will feel slightly warm.
It it is hot in your house, 'warm' water will be hot water in reality.
FEEL is not a good enough method of deciding water temperature.
My house is 75o, 'warm' is abouty 80o, hot about 90o, to hot to touch, 100 .

good luck with the snake,

Like I wrote, if the water feels warm to you it is already ABOVE 98.6 degrees. A thermometer is fine, personally I can make tepid water at about 95 to 100 degrees just by touch. It is actually really easy. If you need a thermometer or temp gun to do it... thats fine too. It is not rocket science...

If you have a light on one end, and not tghe other, wouldnt you get a temp gradient this way?

Thats what I was thinking about the heat lamp on one end.... and I will admit I have successfully kept BP's in screen top enclosures before-- with NO problems. Shed good, eat good, etc--- I'm a regular mister though....

~Beth
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Until there are none, Rescue One! Get ready to welcome the new and improved Oklahoma Animal Rescue Group -- Just a few weeks away from getting our 501c3 status!!!!!