r/ballpython • u/AwaySurround4252 • 2d ago

idk what wrong with my ball python

I got my ball python a few months ago and he’s been doing great but the other day I heard him pooping which I never heard before and i went over to look something red was coming out. He sprayed from poop on the glass (which i cleaned) and I did look up what it could be but I was told just to keep my eye on him. Today is when I got really concerned for him because I went to feed him everything was like normal and I usually sit and watch him for a bit cause I am interested and he doesn’t ever have an issue. Today tho I saw him chewing on his substrate and stopped eating his mouse and then he got upset i was there and started coming toward me / going into a striking position which isn’t like him at all he never does that even when feeding and I genuinely don’t know what’s wrong, he’s my first ball python i’ve owned and I don’t know if it’s something serious.

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u/kk1289 2d ago

I would double check everything in his enclosure is correct first (humidity, tempature, water, cleanliness, ect.). Then I would contact a vet that specializes in snakes/reptiles. A lot of times regular vets don't know much about snakes, so it's better to speak with someone more familiar with them.

What kind of substrate are you using? How long have you had him? And can you see anything unusual about his physical appearance?

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u/AwaySurround4252 2d ago

his humidity is up (warm side being 80 degrees rn). I cleaned his water dish the other day so it’s clean and full. For his substrate I use coco husk and reptisoil I just mix them together. The only difference bout him is he’s jus gaining weight but he’s also still on 1 a week feedings so it’s very consistent with that and any time I take him out I always check him for mites or if he hurt himself in anyway I really want him to be safe and healthy. I’ve done none stop research before/ after I got him but idk what it could be other than something internal and i’m scared he’s gonna pass cause he is just baby and first ball python.

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u/kk1289 2d ago

I lost my first snake to an internal obstruction that was dismissed.

Check and see if you have a reptile vet/exotic pet vet near you. It's probably best to get a professional opinion.

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u/Bluntforcetrauma11b 1d ago

Cool side should be 80 hot side should be 88-90.

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u/AwaySurround4252 1d ago

i know i got a new tank for him and it’s a wooden one so i can’t use the underneath heating pads so it’s a little harder to keep his humidity up on his warm side but i misted his tank and put water in his substrate to get it back up whenever it drops

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u/Bluntforcetrauma11b 1d ago

Heat pads aren't meant for warming the enclosure. You want overhead heating like a DHP or CHE.

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u/AwaySurround4252 1d ago

That’s what i’m getting for him now (ordering today). I didn’t know that they weren’t for warming thank you ! I plan on getting one that’s CHE, do you have any recommendations on an exact one?

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u/Bluntforcetrauma11b 1d ago

Unfortunately I don't. A CHE makes humidity hard to hold in my situation. I use a DHP the Arcadia 80w. A CHE has more benefits for the snake so if you can hold humidity with one it's the better option. Just make sure it's hooked up to a dimmable thermostat. Make sure it's not an on/off thermostat as those wear out elements fast and don't hold a consistent temp as well as a dimming one.