infected belly button???

[paulh]

I lean towards a birth defect, too.

The line in the pictures on the first page is not a belly button line. That would be on 10-20 scales about a half inch forward of the base of the tail.

[EasternGirl]

I was wondering the same thing...but Michelle...did you say that she did not look like this before? Or has she always looked like this?

[BUSHSNAKE]

I was wondering the same thing...but Michelle...did you say that she did not look like this before? Or has she always looked like this?

something like that would be hard to catch when they are so small but becomes apparent as the snake gets a little bigger...ive seen something similar, just not that bad

[Rober10169]

Imperfections of Nature. Being a Doctor of Chiropractic, and a chicken breeder, I have seen lots of imperfections. Most become more apparent as the individual grows. There is nothing that can be done to stop this as it is programmed in the creatures genes. This is one reason why these creatures have so many offspring as many will die due to predators, genetic problems, etc. In nature it is survival of the fittest. Man is the only creature that doesn't follow the laws of nature (but that is a different topic all together).

[Invisible Snake]

That was my initial thought that it was a birth defect but Light of Dae said she appeared swollen and was a bit sluggish.

[Light of Dae]

Well, this morning she pooped perfect lol watched her... I had taken her out of the moist moss hide cause she had not gotten out of it since I put her in there and I figured maybe she couldn't find her way out n wanted a drink of water. She seemed more lively and had a small sip of water, then leaped out of my hand an swim in circles for a minute then stopped n looked at me, flicking her tongue, got out of the water n pooped!

Now after I got home from work I see she knows where the hole is in the moss hide and she just must love it in there. lol right back in it.

As far as it being a birth defect ... I don't know, I didn't see anything when I got her and it was the feeding just before this post that she was fine and ate like a champ. Then BOOM just like that she was slow, lazy and hadn't slimmed down like everyone else.

Seems little better today... going to feed everyone again n see if she'll eat this time, Last time she did not.

[i_heart_sneakie_snakes]

I'm really rooting for her. I hope she eats for you.

[Light of Dae]

She ate!!! As well she shed! Almost perfect, there where two tiny little holes along the line that stayed on her.... I think I got them both off. rubbed her belly with a warm wet towel.

I however ended up destroying the shed when removing it from the plastic plant and lid and hot glue(long cold n solid, its grip-y) but the tail n eye caps n everything else was in good shape.

She seems little more active and alert. I'm sure whatever it is is not contagious... I gave her a roommate after 'supper' the little active... very active melanistic girl. Figure a friend may help her continue to be more alert n hopefully more active. My main reasoning is... she would be in the same spot from when I'd get up in the morning to when I went to bed... un moved, same curl. So here's to hoping the most active girl gets the little flame/ery moving.

Took more pictures, Will upload them after work today.

[ProXimuS]

Yay! Glad to hear this I guess the line is still there after the shed?

[guidofatherof5]

Glad to hear she shed.

Keep a close eye on her. Having a retained shed for an extended period of time can cause damage to organs as they basically are starved for oxygen.
This damage is irreversible and in most cases can lead to death.
I'm not saying this is what is occurring with your snake but thought I would bring it up as it pertains to retained sheds.
Keep us posted.