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Thread: Missing Scales?

  1. #1
    Registered User Hydrolicious's Avatar
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    Missing Scales?

    I've got a question for the more experienced handlers here. Bear with my paranoia if that's what it is, I'm quite new to this. I'll be as detailed as possible. My BP(juvenile, about 3 months old) has what looks like 3 or 4 missing scales on the top of his head, towards the back. I can't say for sure if that's what it is, though, because I'm new and they could just be faded. I know they're not parasites, since he was captive bred and I keep the tank clean. They developed(or rather, I just noticed them then) soon after he finished his last shed. While shedding(after all the symptoms prior he did a bit of head rubbing even after he finished peeling that part off, is that normal?

    I can't really take pics since I lack photography equipment of any kind, and I don't have a PC cord for my phone. I'll do my best here to describe what they look like, though. His head has a black sleek black coat, and these spots of interest are slightly lighter - maybe a dark blackish gray. They're the same size as the scales.

    Now, what I want to know is, is this normal if they're hard on themselves during the shed, or is this often caused by something else? And, will they grow back through consecutive sheds?

    Thanks a bunch, I want to try home fixes before I consult a vet if possible.

  2. #2
    Registered User Ezekiel285's Avatar
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    There can often be different colored scales on a snake even if they are just random scales and not part of a pattern. And i think if it was a missing scale it would look more pinkish. However i do not know for certain and i am sure someone who knows for sure will post soon
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  3. #3
    Registered User Hydrolicious's Avatar
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    Really? I didn't know what color the skin was. Thanks, you've lightened my load a bit.

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    Registered User Ezekiel285's Avatar
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    I don't know for sure so don't quote me, however I HAVE heard that missing scales aren't a problem and will usually come back after a few sheds, so no reason to worry, as long as he seems healthy.
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    Registered User Hydrolicious's Avatar
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    All the better then. Sure glad this forum is active. You have no idea how many dead support forums there are on the web.

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    Registered User Ezekiel285's Avatar
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    Re: Missing Scales?

    Quote Originally Posted by Hydrolicious View Post
    All the better then. Sure glad this forum is active. You have no idea how many dead support forums there are on the web.
    Oh yea, I have been helped many a time by this forum , check back again later because somebody with more experience will most likely post and give you more information than I can (or corrected me if I'm wrong)
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    Registered User Hydrolicious's Avatar
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    No one has responded with a professional opinion, regardless of the optimistic start in the topic. :/
    I guess this was hard without a picture.

    Here:

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    BPnet Veteran KingPythons's Avatar
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    Re: Missing Scales?

    If it's not bleeding And your ball pythons not being just that, a ball python I would worry. Was that a picture because it didn't upload are u using img?
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  9. #9
    Registered User Hydrolicious's Avatar
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    Re: Missing Scales?

    Quote Originally Posted by KingPythons View Post
    If it's not bleeding And your ball pythons not being just that, a ball python I would worry. Was that a picture because it didn't upload are u using img?
    I monitor him regularly and I've never seen him bleed or behave unusually. Uh, could you reiterate the last question? It's a bit illegible.

  10. #10
    BPnet Veteran KingPythons's Avatar
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    Re: Missing Scales?

    The picture you posted is not viewable. Are you using IMG or HTML when u upload pictures?
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