Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My ball python never sheds right. I have had it for about 4 years and it has only completely sheded about 3 or 4 times. Most of the time it gets most of the skin off it self and I help it with the rest. Recently it seems to be sheding more often. About a month ago, it was sheding and I noticed that its stomach was an orangish brown. So I helped get most of it off, but its skin under neath was kind of pinkish so i stoped. now it is shedding again and there is a section of skin on its stomach that is brown and thick. I put it in a big thing of water and it was swimming for a while. When I took it out I wiped some of the skin off its stomach and it started bleeding a little. I don't have any idea what to do. Could it be form the heating pad burning it? I don't want to hurt my snake but I don't want it to die. What should I do; please help!!!

You might find it useful to remove your heating pads and stick with an over tank heater. I prefer to use a ceramic heater. They do a good job of keeping the overall temperature high, and it does not disturb me during the night. And there is a slim chance of your snake burning himself. As for the shedding problem, you need to see a vet. If your snake is bleeding then any bacteria/viruses he comes into contact with can enter his blood stream, not a good situation. Also make sure your ground covering is not irritating his underbell. I have found that some types of bark will leave splinters and the such. Hope this helps...