Thermal Burn Along Underside. HELP!

[LokiTifa]

So one of my Ball Pythons (3 years 4ft) has a burn along his whole under belly from the under-the-tank heating pad. I use a large ExoTerra Rainforest heating pad for him but once he finds it he burrows underneath all of the substrate (aspen shavings) and lays right on top of the warm glass. I've tried putting a tea towel on the glass and covering it with substrate but he always figures out how to get underneath that too. I've tried putting the water container over the area where the heating pad is but he'll just push it out of his way or burrow underneath it. I'm literally out of ideas. He eats regularly and aside from his burn his a happy and healthy snakey.


When I notice the burn (redness) I start putting a thin layer of Polysporin all along the burn once every day until it gets better or until his eyes go milky. My little 8 month old (350 grams) is starting to do it too. I have no idea what to do. Please help!

PS. He has a hide directly over the pad and one on the opposite side of the tank with plenty of fake vines/plant hiding spots in between.

[Farva]

Couple of questions. Are you running any sort of thermostat or dimmer on the heat pad? If so how are you measuring the temp?

[RyanGSP]

A rainforest pad shouldnt get hot enough to burn a snake when operating properly even if you are not using a thermostat. I would check the pad for something wrong.

[LokiTifa]

Couple of questions. Are you running any sort of thermostat or dimmer on the heat pad? If so how are you measuring the temp?

No thermostat. It's just one of those heating pads you plug into the wall. I'm using ExoTerra thermometers (the round dials). One on cool side and one on hot side. Two inches above substrate. The pad isn't any older than a couple months. Shouldn't be malfunctioning already. Is there anything in the meantime I can do to make my ball stay away from the direct source?

[LokiTifa]

A rainforest pad shouldnt get hot enough to burn a snake when operating properly even if you are not using a thermostat. I would check the pad for something wrong.

The pad is only a few months old. It shouldn't be malfunctioning already. I tested it before I stuck it on the tank by keeping my hand on it for like 15 minutes and it stayed warm but not hot.

[RyanGSP]

Exactly my point as to why you need to inspect it. Obviously its malfunctioning & overheating. Not only is this burning your animal but its a huge fire hazard.

[citysmoker]

Im by no means a expert, but, like mentioned above a thermostat will help regulate a proper temp. I use the desert pads for all my BPs with dimmer/thermostats to get the temp spot on. Also i would recommend a digital temp guage ( easily gained at walmart! ) They have a probe that can go directly in the hide and give a better read out. It always never works out for your pet when guessing how hot something is.
Also i agree with checking for defects in the pad, as if i dont use a dimmer with mine they rarely go over 95 deg.

[madison06dayne08]

Thermostats should ALWAYS be used, and not trying to be rude but using your hand to gauge the temp is completely unreliable, you have no idea what the temp is by using your hand to "test" it. You need to be checking it with a temp gun, these can be found at Canadian Tire for reasonable prices or Greg West carries some good quality ones as well. Without taking proper measures, as Ryan said, not only are you harming your pet but it is also a fire hazard.
EDIT: Also the little round dial thermometers you mentioned are continuously proven unreliable, and the temp on the side of the enclosure 2 in above the substrate is obviously not where he's getting the burns, you need to be checking exactly where he is laying, on the glass, under the substrate, with a proper temp gun in order to get the accurate temps your snake is being exposed to.

[Herp Honey]

I agree, I uses a temp gun and rheostat to control temp. My BP's also move the subtrate out of the way and lay on the glass. So I regulate the temp of the glass over the UTH.

[vangarret2000]

When I notice the burn (redness) I start putting a thin layer of Polysporin all along the burn once every day until it gets better or until his eyes go milky. My little 8 month old (350 grams) is starting to do it too. I have no idea what to do. Please help!
.

How often has these burns berms happening and how long have you owned the snakes? Take some pictures if the burns to post because this really just sounds like your snakes are shedding, not getting burned. He could possibly have a burn but what you posted above are all signs of a normal shed processe as well so there is a possibility the snake might be fine. Again post some pics of the burn to get others opinions.

I also agree your round thermometers are a waste. Get rid of them and get a thermometer with a probe or a temp gun. And a rainforest Exxo terra heat pad SHOULDN'T get hot enough to burn the snake. But you should have a thermostat or rheostat on it just to be safe because they can malfunction.