Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My six foot colombian red-tail has always been active and loves to soak in his water dish and has always been very docile while handled. Today I took him out and he was lethargic and nippy. Also he has what looks like a water blister on his side. I took away his water dish and upped his heat a little. He ate a thousand gram rat about three or four days ago. Please help with any other suggestions. Thanks
Sera
S and M Reptiles and Exotics

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3.6 ball pythons
1.2 king snakes (1 chocolate, 2 albino)
1.1 columbian red tail boas
1.1 pueblan milksnakes
2.2 african house snakes
2.2 striped albino applegate gophers
1.0 watersnake
1.2 burmese pythons (1 albino, 2 hets)
2.1 pygmy rattlesnakes
1.1 dumeril's boas
3.3 corns (miami, okatee, snow, caramel, 2 creamsicle)
1.1 jungle corns
0.1 american alligator
0.2 ferrets
0.2 degus

as for the mood difference , red tails all have their personalities , i know of people who have had their snakes 10 years and never get bit , n then alla a sudden it latches onto their face. There is usually a reason for the agressive behavior. the fact that your snake has just eaten may be a factor , i have heard of snakes being more nippy after eating , and the sluggishnish is definately going to happen after eating a meal. i dont think that the blister has to do w the water really. most blisters happen from burns n such. hopefully this helps, if not im sure someone with some more experience then me could give u a more accurate answer
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John woodward
JW REPTILES

he ate about three days ago so I doubt its completely because of that. As for his behavior its very out of the ordinary. He usually holds his body very stiff and now he is almost limp. The blister appearing is coinciding with this change and I've known snakes that spend large amounts of time in their water to develop blisters. He is avoiding his water dish and remaining close to his heat lamp (i.e. why I upped his temp). This snake is my boyfriends pride and joy so please help in any way possible. Thanks,
Sera
S and M Reptiles and Exotics

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3.6 ball pythons
1.2 king snakes (1 chocolate, 2 albino)
1.1 columbian red tail boas
1.1 pueblan milksnakes
2.2 african house snakes
2.2 striped albino applegate gophers
1.0 watersnake
1.2 burmese pythons (1 albino, 2 hets)
2.1 pygmy rattlesnakes
1.1 dumeril's boas
3.3 corns (miami, okatee, snow, caramel, 2 creamsicle)
1.1 jungle corns
0.1 american alligator
0.2 ferrets
0.2 degus

Oh and as for the blister being a burn I really doubt it because he only has a UTH and a heat lamp. We closely monitor his temp and usually keep our apartment around 80 with a humidity around 50-60%. His enclosure consists of a large water dish (he can completely submerge), aspen bedding, a large hidebox, and some climbing apparatus. Thanks.
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3.6 ball pythons
1.2 king snakes (1 chocolate, 2 albino)
1.1 columbian red tail boas
1.1 pueblan milksnakes
2.2 african house snakes
2.2 striped albino applegate gophers
1.0 watersnake
1.2 burmese pythons (1 albino, 2 hets)
2.1 pygmy rattlesnakes
1.1 dumeril's boas
3.3 corns (miami, okatee, snow, caramel, 2 creamsicle)
1.1 jungle corns
0.1 american alligator
0.2 ferrets
0.2 degus

you are right, I have heard of snakes developing blister like bumps
from soaking to much. I have also heard of this when a snake is kept
in a wet cage.
I would clean the cage real good and make sure to keep the snake warm. I would also remove the the water bowl and replace with a bowl
the snake cannot soak in.
After the snake sheds you should notice the bumps getting better or go away after a shed or two.
good luck with your boa and maybe someone with more experiance with this can reply.

Well we took him to our friend who is a reptile dealer also and upon examination realized there were two bumps about 5 inches apart. Thought they were broken ribs then realized its the feet of the rat he ate four days ago. lol. Well at least he's okay. Thanks everyone.
Sera
S and M Reptiles and Exotics

-----
3.6 ball pythons
1.2 king snakes (1 chocolate, 2 albino)
1.1 columbian red tail boas
1.1 pueblan milksnakes
2.2 african house snakes
2.2 striped albino applegate gophers
1.0 watersnake
1.2 burmese pythons (1 albino, 2 hets)
2.1 pygmy rattlesnakes
1.1 dumeril's boas
3.3 corns (miami, okatee, snow, caramel, 2 creamsicle)
1.1 jungle corns
0.1 american alligator
0.2 ferrets
0.2 degus