iHerp Answers! mail us Problem? search Search       Create an Account, It's Free!
  Home > iHerp Answers > Baby BP making popping noise and top layer of scales falling off
Q: Baby BP making popping noise and top layer of scales falling off
Posted By:

RoryAnnMullins

My baby ball python recently has been making this popping noise and his scales have been falling off. I've checked the temps so far they are normal. Temp: 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit , Humidity: 35% to 40% He is 95 grams too, not sure if this will help. The scales falling off appear to be transulucent, but still have a slight color to them. His scales have this rough texture to them, kinda look like hangnails too. He hasn't shed since I got him, which was only a few months ago. Eats at least one to two frozen baby mice. The wheezing and popping noises are worrying me. I looked up some things about snakes wheezing and that it might be a RI. Highly possible,but I want to make sure that it's nothing serious. Pictures are below.
Attached Photos:



Points: 150
Topics: Respiratory , Skin
Tags: BabyBallpython, Ballpythons, FallingScales, Popping, Wheezing
Species: Pythons > Pythons > Python regius
Administrative: Show/Hide

Member Comment 2/18/2015 7:42:59 PM

shellboa

Seems to me like your snake is due for a vet visit. RI in a baby is very serious and needs immediate treatment. The scale issue looks like a result of the bedding being damp too long, may no be scale rot yet but if left could develop into said. Clean the enclosure with a bleach solution, put down paper and see the vet for the RI. Once the RI is treated you should see the scale issue clear up as well and could go back to regular bedding but cut down on misting or whatever is keeping it wet.

 
Member Comment 2/18/2015 7:50:07 PM

Cenobite

What bedding is he currently on?

 
Author Comment 2/18/2015 7:51:08 PM

RoryAnnMullins
He is on aspen
 
Author Comment 2/18/2015 7:51:43 PM

RoryAnnMullins
But the bedding I know for sure isn't damp. I just checked.
 
Member Comment 2/18/2015 9:29:51 PM

Sonja K. Reptiles

What are you measuring the temperatures with? Is it an undertank heat pad you're using? If so, is it on a thermostat? Is it possible that the belly got burned a bit at some point?

 
Member Comment 2/18/2015 9:32:01 PM

Sonja K. Reptiles

Or is it possible he has a retained shed? The humidity is pretty low. Have you tried soaking him for awhile to see what happens? What do his eyes look like?

 
Author Comment 2/18/2015 9:32:26 PM

RoryAnnMullins
I'm measuring them with a thermostat the pet store attendant recommended. Also I'm not exactly sure what a snake with burns looks like. Is it different with snakes depending on the how bad it is. I'm not sure if that's it but it might be.
 
Author Comment 2/18/2015 9:34:34 PM

RoryAnnMullins
His eyes are a dark greenish brown color. As I said before He hasn't shed yet since he's been with me, but is a retained shed serious. No I haven't tried soaking him yet, but I will I try that.
 
Member Comment 2/18/2015 9:37:58 PM

Sonja K. Reptiles

I'm just trying to rule some things out with my questions... is it a slight whistling sound only or is he gaping his mouth? Do you see extra fluid / mucus present in the mouth?

I have had some snakes make a very minimal sound that was like a whistle / pop while in shed or with retained shed, so that "might" be possible. 

Are you able to take a close up / macro pic of the eyes with a flash - often that is helpful in determining a retained eye cap. Does he seem overall "dull" or is there a shine to him?

 
Member Comment 2/18/2015 9:39:32 PM

Sonja K. Reptiles

Only one of the two pics you posted is showing up for us. What was the first pic of?

 
Author Comment 2/18/2015 10:19:05 PM

RoryAnnMullins
It was of his eyes, also he still does have a good shine to him. There has been no fluids as far I know of, and no gaping mouth at all. The wheezing sounds like when you blow your nose but softer. I'm going to check for to see if he does have retained eye cap.
 
Accepted Answer 2/22/2015 10:25:04 AM

BiggBaddWolf

They will make a wheezing noise when they are going into shed. If he does have a retained eye cap, just be sure to up the humidity to around 70% next time he sheds, and it should come off...

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 4/30/2026 11:44:55 AM | 0.0.0.0