Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I think my baby is rubbing her nose on the screen. Kinda looks like a scab? What could I do to maybe fix this so she will not harm herself? And what would you guys recommend to use for a background along the walls of the aquarium. Any tips appreciated thanks!

We need more information. "if" she is rubbing her nose on the screen then you need to put her in another enclosure with out a screen or remove items in the enclosure that enables her to get to the screen. I am assuming the "screen" is the lid/top of the tank?

Most of us here use rack systems so your problem is somewhat unique. This is a first for me to hear that a BP is rubbing it's nose to the point of injury. Maybe it is allergic/itchy due to another problem?

Can you post a pic of the affected area? Do you know if your snake has parasites? Can you post a pic of your enclosure? What type of bedding are you using? Do you feed live or frozen thawed? If you feed live do you think the prey could have bitten her?

The list is pretty long of information you should supply to receive some advice.
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Best regards,
AlanColesReptiles

Yep the screen is the top of the tank. Heres is the pics. It actually looked a lil better today but still I wanna know what is causing it. She wasn't injured by any mouse it just appeared over night basically.

sorry i do not know how to post all pics on one message

Nice albino! So how long have you had her? Did you buy her from a breeder?

If she is rubbing her nose on the screen you will need to prevent that by putting her in a different/taller tank/cage or getting a less abrasive lid. Plastic lid possibly?

What is your heat source?
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Best regards,
AlanColesReptiles

Had her 4 days now. And yea I got her from a breeder. Could you see the lil mark on her nose? It was not there when I received her but showed up after being in the cage. I use a under tank heater and a lamp with a 50 watt bulb. Was using a 75 watt but was getting way to hot. I wondered if maybe I put a piece of plastic over the lid it may help. She gets on her rock and does it I think. I could be wrong all together and it could be something else. So you think it is just her rubbing her nose also?

Ok, so, ball pythons do not need a heat lamp. She is searching for heat and rubbing her nose I believe. Remove the heat lamp entirely. There is absolutly no need for a heat lamp. Use only the UTH. See if the problem resolves.

Are you in contact with the breeder? The breeder should be able to answer all your questions...at least I would hope.

Tell ya what. Call me anytime and I'll help ya. 971-506-2653
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Best regards,
AlanColesReptiles

Yep its just 3 am there in bed . And they been more then helpful . The lamp just helped keep the cage around 85 or so. Without that it would stay around 75 besides under her rock where its around 90. So remove it you think? And thanks for the help and offer!

Keep the room the cage is in at 70-75 deg. Put an insulator on the screen lid like sheet stirofoam etc. You can also put sheet stirofoam under the tank to help insulate.

She was probably raised in a tub in a rack system. The tank she is in is new and she has been exploring. Since a lot of heat was coming from the lamp she probably rubbed her nose trying to get to it.

If the UTH is the only heat source, this will be more of what she is use to and prevent her from rubbing on the screen lid.

Finally, you asked what type of background to put on the tank walls. This is totally up to you. Your ball python won't care as she only knows a plastic tub as a natural environment.
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Best regards,
AlanColesReptiles

I was looking at the Zoo Med backgrounds they have. Was two different kinds can't remember off the top of my head what the two was. its 4:15 am kind of tired lol

1:19a here... Lol... I'm going to bed as well. Call me if you feel the need. Please update me/us on the results once you make some changes.

I'm sure the affected area on her nose will resolve and possibly go away after her next shed. Welcome to the BP family and the forum!
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Best regards,
AlanColesReptiles

sorry dont know how to post all in one message

thanks

looks like in one of th epics that you have a red light on? maybe its too hot and the snake is trying to escape the heat...
check your temps with a temp gun and make sure all is correct. if its trying that hard to get out maybe something is wrong inside the cage.
adam jeffery
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" a.k.a. farfrumugen "
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

beautiful albino, that said i worry that your setup will not provide adequate humidity. tank setups are notorious for low humidity. you need to close at least 75-80% of the top to help hold in moisture. your astroturf substrate is good for keeping the tank clean but does nothing for humidity. i suggest you add a hide that has moist sphagnum moss in it so that your bp can go in especially during shedding time. i agree that you need to get rid of the overhead heat source and swithch it for a florecent light for viewing. hook the uth up to a thermostat and use that for your source of belly heat. you may find that your bp doent eat as well since your setup is all glass and may cause it to feel out in the open and more vulnerable. i would block off 3 sides to provide a little more secure feeling. i prefer just to just paint sides black but you can find a background that has plants. hope this helps alittle. if this is your only snake i might suggest getting something like a vision type cage. they are not a glass tank yet make great display cages.