My ball python's belly is black, orange, and leaking. What is it?

Possibilities include infection, parasites, burns or trauma (from a fall or bedding). Changing out the bedding was a smart move. Take it a step further and remove all cage furniture in case Erebus is climbing then falling. Confirm proper temperature and if you have a heat rock, remove it immediately. An exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles would be recommended to diagnose illness or injury.

Check the temp in the enclosure if you use a heat mat or UTH (under tank heater). The redness could be a minor burn. Some pythons will develop a pink belly just prior to a shed as well. Check for an incomplete shed and soak if necessary to aid in shedding. Monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite or abnormal stool. This could indicate infection or internal injury.

Thanks for reaching out about your ball python and am sorry for your loss. I suspect the dark area was feces in the colon observed through the skin. If the body was refrigerated, a veterinary can probably perform a necropsy with the hopes of providing some answers. Good luck.

Those could be burns, abrasions or infection. Check for proper temperature in the enclosure. Remove any furniture that may be causing abrasions. Confirm proper humidity which can promote bacterial or fungal overgrowth. Lucy should be examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet to definitively diagnose the condition. She may need to have the area cleaned and dressed or she may need antibiotics.

I am sorry for the loss of your snakes. Ideally, Ivory should be physically examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet, especially in light of your recent losses. The spots could indicate infection (bacterial, fungal or even a viral condition). It is difficult to make a detrmination by looking at an image. In the meantime, clean and sanitize all the enclosures, bowls, hides and tank furniture. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Wash your hands thoroughly between handling each snake. Confirm, again if necessary, proper environmental parameters. Low temps can lead to stress which may predispose a snake to infection or illness. High humidity can foster bacterial or fungal overgrowth. Consider using paper towels as substrate until the issue is resolved. Change them daily to maintain clean conditions.

Eclipse should be examined by an experienced herp veterinarian. He may need antibiotics to treat or prevent infection. Monitor for discharge, lethargy, odor or loss of appetite. Keep the area clean and dry. You can apply a dab of triple antibiotic ointment topically. Use paper towels as substrate until the spot heals. It may take a a couple sheds, but he should recover. In the future, if he ever gets any adhesive stuck on him, use a bit of olive oil to soak the area then gently remove the adhesive.

Thanks for reaching out about Natas and including photos. This could be something as simple as dry skin, so application of an olive oil once every few days might help return the skin integrity to normal. Remove any substrate that could adhere the lesion. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. A fungal or bacterial dermatitis, nutritional deficiencies, and other problems are still possible. Good luck.