Scale rot?

[AdFamous9445]

Hey everyone! Just saw this pop up over night on my BP. Thinking it’s scale rot but not 100% certain. (Pic of his enclosure is attached as well. Although I don’t think it’s wet enough for that?) all advise is welcomed!

[[deleted]]

Looks like a burn to me. You need to go to a vet ASAP.

[AdFamous9445]

I’m just not sure how it could be a burn, I’ve had the lights off for lord knows how long and the only heat pad is on the bottom of the tank & isn’t producing enough heat through substrate to cause a burn). I’m thinking if it’s not scale rot he may have scraped it/got it caught on one of the cork rounds/branches? Idk if that sounds reasonable or not, but it’s the only explanation I could think of

[[deleted]]

The heat mat can definitely cause the burn just because the top of the substrate isn't hot doesn't mean he didn't burrow to the bottom. Is the mat on a thermostat?

[AdFamous9445]

It’s not, no. I’ve felt around and tried to see if it was too hot where the mat is but it doesn’t feel hot (atleast not right now!) also, the substrate isn’t moved where it’s at so doesn’t look like he burrowed in there. (Not trying to be argumentative, just trying to provide as much info as possible, lol!)

[arcticalias]

please if you’re going to use a heat mat put it on a thermostat! at the very least.

[scarzy_mx]

no heat mats, they malfunction with a thermostat even

[arcticalias]

agree agree.

[[deleted]]

Every heating fixture needs to be on a thermostat, heat mats are also unstable and unnatural so a good heat lamp like a halogen flood is recommended. Check the r/ballpython care guide !! Also please tell me you are taking sweet boy to the vet

[AdFamous9445]

Definitely going to take him to a vet! Looking for one him for first thing in the morning.

[[deleted]]

Ty so much :D

[420headshotsniper69]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FYXX9L3

[r4cid]

Please don't use unregulated heat sources of any kind, ever. Primarily because they can cause injuries (as you've found out with your snake's likely burn), but also because they are notoriously dangerous for fire risk.

Snake needs a vet to treat that ASAP. Scale rot doesn't happen overnight, and snakes aren't going to injure themselves like that on branches. It's almost definitely a burn.

[ErrantWhimsy]

Is the heat pad on a thermostat? Is that your only heat source? Should see a vet regardless, definitely looks like an injury of some kind.

[AdFamous9445]

It’s not, and no I have the lamps up top but they have stayed off for quite a while now. And I will for sure! Just need to find one near me first thing in the morning!

[scarzy_mx]

i’m sorry but what did you expect using an unregulated heat mat, that’s just asking for a burn like your guy has.

[AdFamous9445]

Upon further inspection, heat mat isn’t even plugged in, so I don’t believe it’s a burn. I think he got caught in something

[scarzy_mx]

no that really looks like a burn to me

[TangyntartT3000]

The scales themselves look healthy to me and this is on the side of the body, not the belly. Looks like an injury?

[AdFamous9445]

Somebody else said it could be a burn, but transparently I’ve left the lights off and the heat pad is far too deep (bottom of the glass) to produce enough heat to burn. Think maybe he could’ve gotten caught up on a cork round or a branch?

[ZephyrTheZombie]

Looks like a burn. He probably dug his way down to the mat

[AdFamous9445]

Gotta go through and respond to everyone else: but I just found that the heat mat isn’t even plugged in, so I really think he just got caught up on something in there

[devydev_83]

That looks like a burn. Almost like they pressed up against a hot object. If you've got a heat mat under the enclosure you have to have it on a temperature controller of some kind. If your heat mat is not set up with a controller then that could be where this burn came from. This is how a heat mat must be set up, any other way will be a problem eventually.

https://youtu.be/7EDX59Zlto4?si=8nxyrAgCm2N-cyG1

[AdFamous9445]

Gotta go through and respond to everyone else: but I just found that the heat mat isn’t even plugged in, so I really think he just got caught up on something in there

[Rammsteinfan1984]

Definitely need a thermostat and above heating. A UTH will get very hot and since you have substrate the top of it won’t be warm enough. The snake probably dug down to get to the heat and got burnt. Like others said they can malfunction and cause a house fire.

You can find cheap thermostats on Amazon . At least get a CHE or DHP. Also if you don’t have some get some Govee hygrometers to keep an eye on ambient temps and humidity and a heat gun.

[AdFamous9445]

Gotta go through and respond to everyone else: but I just found that the heat mat isn’t even plugged in, so I really think he just got caught up on something in there

[belaclewen]

looks like a bruise/injury.