New here, with a question about my ball and his skin~

[Poptart]

Alright, question for those experienced snake handlers.

Finn is my very first ball python, or snake in general. For years I have been wanting one, I did all my homework and prepared myself since I was young, and finally, last year in November, I got my ball python... and yes. From Petsmart. I worked there at the time, in the pet hotel, but I would walk past the tank every day and saw the snake, who is now mine. He was underfed, crammed in with two other balls, and was in dry conditions, trust me, I hated it, but no matter how much I said something, policies got in the way. Eventually, I grew attached and handled him often, which then led to me taking him home.

Since the very first day I got Finn he has had these spots of what looks like dull scales, almost dry patches. Like, the scales don't harden or they just don't get their shine. He has this on his head, and after two sheds it was completely gone. Now, after his last shed, they reappeared towards the end of his tail. I'm not sure what it is, and it doesn't seem to be mites at all. But the dull scales do seem to peel, or flake, a little bit sometimes.

Now since I know you will ask, here are the specifics on his housing; warm side: 60-65 humidity, 86 f in heat. Cool side: 60-65 humidity, 75-77 f in temp. Substrate is a mix of cypress and coconut fiber. Water at all times, misting the tank three times a day if I can, if not, twice. 20Gal tank, under heater, lamp and towels over top to keep humidity. Only one shed was a bad one, the rest were full sheds, including the recent one, and I fill his hide with moss during his shedding.

Finn himself I would say... is maybe 7-9 mos, captive bred, about two feet give or take a few inches, and 261g when I weighed him last week. He's on adult mice, going on rat pups soon. He's never bitten, never wanted, hardly head shy, active and curious. I take him outside on good days, and give him a soak immediately after I bring him in. He never soaks himself, I don't think he likes it much, since I'm up till 7am with him and never see him in his dish, thus why I give him baths myself, once every two weeks, and more during sheds.

I don't think its fungal, since it doesn't spread or cause him discomfort. His attitude doesn't change, he just has a few... ugly spots. :c Any help would be great, and for a visual~



If you need a picture of his habitat, I will be more then happy to provide.

[Kaorte]

!!!!

Have you tried soaking the snake in room temp water and gently rubbing the affected scales? It is either some stuck shed, or the outer coating of the scale was removed during shed.

It happens from time to time and will not harm your snake, it just looks kinda ugly lol.

[Annarose15]

Sounds like you're taking very good care of your boy. People will probably jump in and tell you to raise the hot spot, but I've found that my younger BPs do better with 86-88F (ambient 76-79F). As he gets bigger and takes larger meals, you should probably increase it a couple of degrees. The main suggestion I would make is to stop bathing him - he doesn't need it, and it's likely causing his skin to be drier and leave those occasional unshed scales behind.

[Kaorte]

Sounds like you're taking very good care of your boy. People will probably jump in and tell you to raise the hot spot, but I've found that my younger BPs do better with 86-88F (ambient 76-79F). As he gets bigger and takes larger meals, you should probably increase it a couple of degrees. The main suggestion I would make is to stop bathing him - he doesn't need it, and it's likely causing his skin to be drier and leave those occasional unshed scales behind.

I totally missed the soaks! Derp!

[Poptart]

!!!!

Have you tried soaking the snake in room temp water and gently rubbing the affected scales? It is either some stuck shed, or the outer coating of the scale was removed during shed.

It happens from time to time and will not harm your snake, it just looks kinda ugly lol.

I did try to see if they would come off with a gentle rub, but to no effect. I just heard that they can do that to themselves, removing the outer coating of their scales during shed. I had no clue, and I'm wondering if that is the case here.

Sounds like you're taking very good care of your boy. People will probably jump in and tell you to raise the hot spot, but I've found that my younger BPs do better with 86-88F (ambient 76-79F). As he gets bigger and takes larger meals, you should probably increase it a couple of degrees. The main suggestion I would make is to stop bathing him - he doesn't need it, and it's likely causing his skin to be drier and leave those occasional unshed scales behind.

Ah! See, I was told and I read that if they don't soak themselves, that its a good idea to do that for them to keep their skin from drying! I didn't even think about it drying his skin even more then it should. I'll stop doing that, see if that helps him with his next shed. Thank you for that.