Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I know this is a strange question but I can't seem to find the answer on the internet so thought I would ask around. I recently purchased a cinnamon male breeder from a local breeder and for some reason he smells bad. My other balls smell a certain way but for some reason this one specific snake smells like there is something wrong with him? I have had him for approx 2 weeks and he has shed and eaten for me. Is there anything specific I could check for? I have only been into balls for less than a year so a total newbie. Thank you for any advice, Paige
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Wow, yes I have a zoo!!
1.1 cinnamons, 1.2 pastels, .1 mojave, 1. spider, 1. super pastel, .2 normals, .1 rosy boa, 1.1 gophers, 2 razorback musk turtles, 2 musk turtles and 1 white lipped mud, 4 dogs, 2 cats, 1. husband, 2 sons, and 1 daughter... oh I forgot many freshwater fish and 2 bunnies

I am going to guess that he slept against one of his defections. If he were a lucy you would probably notice the discoloration, but since he is a cinnamon, he is too dark to see if he has poo on his scales.....just a thought.

Thx. I was reading where someone uses dawn soap
and washes their snake. Have you ever done that?
I have debated about letting them swim in my tub then
scrubbing it of course. I was thinking the chlorine
might be harmful to the snake?

I was kind of worried the smell might be some internal
parasite or something because his poop even smells
strange. Almost kind of necrotic. He has no visible
ailments but the time before last when he ate I found
regurgitated rat hair in his bowl. Very odd because it
was just the hair not the body.

Thoughts? V/R Paige
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Wow, yes I have a zoo!!
1.1 cinnamons, 1.2 pastels, .1 mojave, 1. spider, 1. super pastel, .2 normals, .1 rosy boa, 1.1 gophers, 2 razorback musk turtles, 2 musk turtles and 1 white lipped mud, 4 dogs, 2 cats, 1. husband, 2 sons, and 1 daughter... oh I forgot many freshwater fish and 2 bunnies

Sorry to clarify in the rat hair was in his water bowl.
I feed f/t'd and I know he had swallowed the rat. V/R, Paige
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Wow, yes I have a zoo!!
1.1 cinnamons, 1.2 pastels, .1 mojave, 1. spider, 1. super pastel, .2 normals, .1 rosy boa, 1.1 gophers, 2 razorback musk turtles, 2 musk turtles and 1 white lipped mud, 4 dogs, 2 cats, 1. husband, 2 sons, and 1 daughter... oh I forgot many freshwater fish and 2 bunnies

i have actually bathe my ball in a light soapy water. if u dont want to put her in the tub just get a big enough container where u can it if it has a lid thats even better... let it sit for a bit then grab a towel and let the snake pass by a few times
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Thanks for you time
SPC Danny Tejeda
US Army Reserves
0.1 Pastel Ball Python
1.1 Normal Het Pied
2.0.1 Red Ear Slider
0.0.1 Unknown Box Turtle

It's always a good idea to get a fecal exam done by a vet, especially with snakes you intend to breed to keep parasites from passing to other animals in your collection.

I wouldn't use Dawn soap or any scented soap at all on a snake. A soak in luke warm water for 10 minutes ( you can just use a plastic tub with a few inches of water inside and close the lid with a few air holes drilled into the lid) then with an old toothbrush lightly brush away any visible dirt on the snake's body. A very mild soap like Ivory (unscented) can be used.

If he still smells odd after the bath, I will take a fecal sample (next fresh one basically) to your reptile vet so it can be checked for parasites. The presence of internal parasites can cause the stool to smell worse than normal. Your vet can also examine your snake for any skin/scale issues which may cause the snake to be more smelly than usual.
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

Thank you all so much for the advice. I am going to look up a local reptile vet (I have it saved on my work computer) and get it scheduled.

Also suggest fresh Fecal to vet. No more than a couple hours old if possible.