iHerp Answers! mail us Problem? search Search       Create an Account, It's Free!
  Home > iHerp Answers > Belly burns?
Q: Belly burns?
Posted By:

Herpetology Mermaid

In Relation To:

Balisong

Alright, so a few weeks ago I got my rack system set up, it's heated with flexwatt heat tape, and is controlled with a herpstat thermostat. It maintains a tempature of around 86F.

Two of my snakes love to hang out in the back, pushing all of the aspen aside to lay right over the heatsource and both have since developed a pinkish color along their bellies.

Basically I'm wondering what you would suggest I'd do? Is perhaps my thermostat not working? Should I turn the temp down a couple degrees? Put liners underneath the aspen to provide another layer above the heat? Or should I switch the bedding all together? 


Attached Photos:


Points: 150
Topics: Skin , Caging , Heating
Tags: Belly, Burn, Heattape, Racks, Tubs
Species: Other Colubrids > Ratsnakes > Bogertophis subocularis
Administrative: Show/Hide

Assisted Answer 12/31/2011 10:45:58 AM

LisaT

My girl was going that too.  A brown paper grocerie bag over the heat mat did the trick.  So, when she scooted her sustrate out of the way the sack still protected her belly..

 
Accepted Answer 12/31/2011 11:00:39 AM

Doomtrooper

A temp gun would be a good investment  to check the surface temps of the tub  where do you have the T stat Probe ?

 
Assisted Answer 12/31/2011 11:16:52 AM

krosario68

Mr Doom nailed it.  You need a temp gun, they are an inexpensive tool of the trade.  My set up has been up and running for a while, and I still spot check to make sure all my babies are fine.

 
Assisted Answer 12/31/2011 12:30:56 PM

Big Sarge

Are you sure they will not be shedding soon? My snakes' bellies turn pink before the snake becomes dull and the eyes opaque. But Doom is right. Get a temp gun if you do not have one.

 
Assisted Answer 12/31/2011 1:16:22 PM

Tiki108

+1 for the temp gun!  But I have the pinkish stuff happen right before a shed, so that's probably what it is.  But I don't think a burn turns pink, but I could be wrong.

 
Author Comment 12/31/2011 1:23:44 PM

Herpetology Mermaid
Yeah, I've been meaning to get a temp gun for awhile and the plan was to get one next payday anyway, unfortunately I don't have this money for one right this very second. my first thought actually was shed, as both are due and 4 of my other snakes just shed as well. It could very well be that too. I just then realized these were both the snakes that also lay directly over their heat source and got worried. If it is a shed, awesome, but I just want to be careful too.
You are not logged in. If you would like to participate (it's free!), you must log in, or Become a Member!
  

Member Login
Forgot My Password
Copyright ©2008, All Rights Reserved. iHerp, LLC | Terms of Use 6/26/2026 2:24:49 PM | 0.0.0.0