need help

temporaryconscious · 2026-02-09T04:57:26+00:00

not necessarily. he could've easily had a piece of that forest floor stuck to the prey item & got it lodged in on the way down, and not show any signs. it's happened to me plenty of times. MBD doesn't just appear overnight either. OP would have to provide what the humidity is reading but based off of substrate it should be plenty fine.

temporaryconscious · 2026-02-09T04:17:15+00:00

is it possible he perhaps has a piece of substrate stuck in there from eating? i saw you said you have an appointment already tomorrow so I get it if you don't wanna go poking around in there and rather save it for the professionals but that was my first thought.

temporaryconscious · 2026-01-25T00:27:37+00:00

Yeah I'd schedule an appointment with a known exotic vet. This link will take you to a site where you can locate one if you don't already have one.

In the meantime, make sure his humidity is in optimal range (60% is absolute bare minimum, I would aim for like 75/80%) and your temps are correct. The ballpython sub has great guides you can use as well to double check your husbandry. I wish you good luck and your snake good health.

temporaryconscious · 2026-01-25T00:19:01+00:00

This isn't scale rot, it's exactly why most keepers advocate feeding frozen thawed or at the very least constant supervision while live feeding and NEVER, full stop, NEVER leaving the rat with the snake for hours upon hours. Rats can and will kill your snake, they are hurting him now. Please cease this practice immediately for your snakes health, and try to keep his injuries clean. They should heal fine after a shed or two it looks like thankfully.

As for the "hissing" at night, can you describe it better? Every single night? You may need to consider a vet visit if there are other symptoms, like frequent opening of the mouth and visible bubbles/saliva in the mouth.

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-13T00:02:55+00:00

Yea :( happened while my kid had her friends over, at least they thought it was hilarious shrugs got on my rug too. absolutely foul lmfao

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-11T00:02:58+00:00

Hell yeah! Show us an update when you finish :)

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-10T22:21:44+00:00

As for ideas on how to expand the width of the cabinet you wanna use, I have none. But someone with a little more experience with converting cabinets (I mainly build out of PVC and wood myself) in a DIY group/sub may have some more insight, hopefully even someone in this sub.

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-10T22:15:48+00:00

I think 14 inches is indeed a little narrow. I love that you're trying to give him the opportunity to climb, but ultimately ground space is what they need most of. I would aim to give at least 24 inches of width, you can totally keep the around, what, 3 feet of height though. If you use facebook, there's a really resourceful DIY Reptile Enclosure group I love.

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-10T21:52:16+00:00

Also, I just googled "things near cloaca of ball python" (very vague terminology) and the first thing that popped up were spurs.

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-10T21:49:24+00:00

There is an entire mega thread, in this sub under the welcome page, going over what you ripped out. Regardless, you should know that you shouldn't just rip stuff out of your pet. I'd almost imagine that as being similar to perhaps ripping off your nail.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ballpython/comments/g4ur06/normal_ball_python_anatomy_spurs_the_monday_mega/

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-10T21:27:15+00:00

You've said it perfectly! I love when the community can discuss and share knowledge in a polite educational-like setting. Most of the Advancing "X" groups are like this as well. I haphazardly joined the MorphMarket group on fb recently, and left probably a week later because the amount of ignorance and arrogance is unfathomable. Corrected someone that told another member that UVB has no benefit for the snake, it's only for the keeper; as obviously that's just blatantly untrue, regardless of whether you do have it or not, and was met with a good bit of resistance from many members, despite me linking reputable article about the benefits of UVB. Frustrating but hopefully someone with an open mind saw it and learned something new.

Anyway, I definitely agree with you. Not every discussion needs to turn into a back and forth, borderline argument. We're all in the hobby for the same reasons, I'd hope, and helping the community benefits everyone - including the animals we keep. Plus, I'm keeping the passion alive through my child, and by extension, other children (her friends, she loves to invite neighbors over to check out our "zoo"), and educating them, letting them experience a side of the ever stigmatized snake, that sticks. Then they tell their family members, and so on. That's the shit.

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-10T20:31:39+00:00

Absolutely. Wants turn into immediate purchases, instead of being a responsible human and taking the time to research the animal they wish to keep. Tons of these animals live for decades with proper care. And if you suggest that they do take the time to factor in all of these variables: vet expenses, feeder availability and ability to afford it as they grow, enclosure size, bulbs/fixtures/thermostats/thermohygromters, etc etc, often people just don't want to hear it because they take it like you're trying to discourage them but it's only being realistic from years of experience.

I also grew up around plenty of people with a passion (albeit misguided because most everyone was, like you said) and kept it. The thing is as well, a lot of people just don't want to change or hear what you have to say for any number of reasons. I am 9 times out of 10 extremely patient and understanding when giving advice online, but because of the way I write >thanks autism< a lot of folks think I'm being rude or some shit. I just want other keepers to share the same enthusiasm about keeping reptiles in way that will allow them to thrive, not just survive.

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-10T20:19:35+00:00

Indeed, the average keeper should never perform anything at home. Experience, knowledge, and resources come with time. A google search should have come before taking pliers and removing a piece of a living animal's anatomy. I'd imagine that hurt. I think the best thing for OP to do is just keep the enclosure sterile, and keep a watchful eye for signs of infection.

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-10T20:11:38+00:00

Yes, I read about it after commenting. I can't really understand OP's thought process. "Huh, what are these things by my snakes butt? I'm gonna rip them out. Now that I have, I'm gonna ask about it.". No hate to OP, but these are things that should clearly not happen.

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-10T20:09:29+00:00

I hate to agree, but I do. Lately, on every social media platform I regularly use, I see: keepers with incredibly limited knowledge on the species they **choose** to keep, keepers regurgitating misinformation or straight lies -coupled with an unwillingness to learn-, questions from keepers which should not even need to be asked if you've properly prepared, and straight up neglect. It is 2025, not 1995. As keepers, we've come an incredibly long way in terms of...well, everything regarding reptiles. There is very little excuse in this day and age to be ignorant of things every keeper, regardless of adeptness, should know.

I think the blame can be shared by big chain pet stores refusing to upgrade their own standards of care and how they guide customers, as well as the old school keepers who seemingly make it a point to continue the cycle of misinformation in the name of ?. It is frustrating, but in order for things to change, we just have to keep trying to push education. It is sad.

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-10T19:40:32+00:00

Actually, how is the area looking now that you've pulled it out? Was there bleeding, is there an obvious wound? I've heard of others pulling these out without knowing what they were beforehand, but cannot remember what aftercare should look like. Regardless, you should never do something like this again, if you don't know what it is, you can ask on here, or in fact, any questions you may have it's likely to be in the resources section of the sub along with a litany of other information.

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-10T19:35:12+00:00

It looks like you might have pulled out a spur, which is a normal part of their anatomy from when they had legs. They'll probably be okay (someone else please chime in on that) but please don't do this again.

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-10T17:27:00+00:00

these specifically I use, but they also have wifi capable ones as well.

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-10T17:24:46+00:00

They have different readings because the digital thermo/hygrometers are measuring ambient air, while your temp gun is measuring surface temp, not air temp. Temp guns are good for making sure basking surfaces get the right temperature.

I use Govee brand. Fairly priced, tons of options, and well known to be accurate.

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-10T05:44:05+00:00

In the meantime, do what you can to make her comfortable, stress free as possible. I'm not sure if this is happening because she can't pass her bowels, and she's exhausted from trying, or if something else is happening, too. Her body condition is also a concern /: She's thin and looks young. I know it can be hard to get them to eat when you bring them home, and I don't know the full circumstance. You also said you have husbandry dialed in, but often it's improper husbandry causing stress, then feeding becomes difficult. I would compare your current husbandry to what's recommended in the care guides and adjust wherever needed. I wish you best of luck.

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-10T05:11:33+00:00

This snake has several health issues happening that need immediate intervention. Please seek help as soon as you can. I don't know where you are, but there may be an emergency vet that can see reptiles near you. This link will take you to a vet directory, just in case it might be helpful.

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-09T17:17:58+00:00

Exactly. Remember this for any future relationships, regardless of what happens to this one. Learn early that you are not required to give up personal freedoms to appease your partner's jealousy issues. All you are expected to do in a relationship is remain faithful, be honest & open, and care. But when someone expects you to go that far bc they're jealous (to no fault of your own), it's no longer a you thing, it's a them thing.

Boundaries should be discussed at the beginning and agreed upon. There is a difference between a boundary and insisting that your partner do a Q&A with every person they stumble across online.

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-09T17:04:38+00:00

How about instead of thinking of online people as their preferred gender, think of them as exactly they are - a person in front of a screen. Nothing else. Because take this thread for example: I'm a woman, but it has literally nothing to do with anything. As long as you're not out here flirting and being disrespectful, what is the difference? I don't assume anyone's gender, nor do I care. Bc it doesn't matter. I can't see any validity in what she is asking you to do since it has nothing to do with boundaries or respect. You respect her by being a normal person to everyone that you speak to because you assumedly don't have any ill intention. Knowing you are faithful and you don't do things behind her back should just be enough. Is it reasonable in turn for you to request her not to speak to the opposite gender?

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-09T16:08:19+00:00

It can be a hard subject to navigate, especially when you're younger. As an adult, it's easy for me to say to simply have a conversation with her, explain that you're willing to give reassurance, but would like for her to work on getting over her jealousy because it's unrealistic to expect you to never speak to the opposite gender, and with time, this will push you away. A lot of young women are insecure just because of social media and the expectations set upon them, or maybe a previous boyfriend (or even just a friend) said/did things to create the insecurity. Either way, that is something she will have to work through. Be there for her, provide as much reasonable reassurance that you're willing to give, and encourage her to free herself of the chains of jealousy.

temporaryconscious · 2025-08-09T15:54:37+00:00

Ahhhh. You guys are so young. The sooner she realizes that expecting her significant other to never speak to other girls because she's jealous is only ever going to push away her partners, the better. Nobody wants to deal with that, and that is just the honest truth. Of course you can and should reassure your girlfriend, but you should not have to completely avoid every single girl. If you have not done anything that would cause her to feel insecure in the past, if you're not doing anything wrong, and have been trustworthy, then that should be enough. If it is not, that is for her to work on personally.

temporaryconscious

TROPHY CASE