Does this look like scale rot?

[jrabbit]

I've just noticed this yesterday, which is pretty weird because despite him being in a 55 gallon tank his humidity is between 50-60% and his temps are 87-92 degrees. The substrate is Eco earth with a top layer of reptibark (just so it looks pretty). But does this look like scale rot? His scales look a little pale too, so he's about to shed.




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[DVirginiana]

Doesn't look like much to me. Whenever I see spots like that I swab with betadine a time or two. It won't hurt the snake, but if it is something it'll knock it out before it gets bad. He'd probably be perfectly fine if you did nothing though. Just keep an eye on it and make sure it's not spreading.

You shouldn't have scale-rot if those humidity ranges are accurate. I've never seen it in a healthy snake with clean bedding and correct humidity.

[jrabbit]

Doesn't look like much to me. Whenever I see spots like that I swab with betadine a time or two. It won't hurt the snake, but if it is something it'll knock it out before it gets bad. He'd probably be perfectly fine if you did nothing though. Just keep an eye on it and make sure it's not spreading.

You shouldn't have scale-rot if those humidity ranges are accurate. I've never seen it in a healthy snake with clean bedding and correct humidity.

Thank you! I really appreciate your input. I'll get some betadine tomorrow. I spot clean his tank almost everyday and usually deep clean his tank every two months or so. That's why I thought it was too weird to be scale rot, but I just had to ask. I know you guys would know more about this and would have an answer.


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[BoiseBallz]

The way it is a broken linear pattern looks like he rubbed against something sharp that scored his scales. It doesn't look like scale rot at this point, but I would watch it to make sure that it doesn't progress, but more importantly, I would recommend thoroughly checking his enclosure for exposed sharp edges/surfaces.

[jrabbit]

The way it is a broken linear pattern looks like he rubbed against something sharp that scored his scales. It doesn't look like scale rot at this point, but I would watch it to make sure that it doesn't progress, but more importantly, I would recommend thoroughly checking his enclosure for exposed sharp edges/surfaces.

The only thing that I could think of that could be close to sharp in his terrarium is this plastic vine looking plant, but then again he's had that thing since he was a hatchling and its never done that. Do you think it could be his food? I've noticed that the small rats he started eating have some pretty sharp nails compared to the rat pups... I'm just throwing random ideas out. I've just never seen this and I handle him everyday.


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[JoshSloane]

Not scale rot at all. Looks like some kind of minor abrasion. How old is the snake?

[BoiseBallz]

The only thing that I could think of that could be close to sharp in his terrarium is this plastic vine looking plant, but then again he's had that thing since he was a hatchling and its never done that. Do you think it could be his food? I've noticed that the small rats he started eating have some pretty sharp nails compared to the rat pups... I'm just throwing random ideas out. I've just never seen this and I handle him everyday.


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I doubt that it is his food. Rat and mice nails seem sharp, but they aren't likely hard enough to score scales like that. Their teeth are the only thing that could likely make those kind of scratches, and I can't imagine a scenario where that would occur, especially in such a long, almost perfectly linear fasion. The way it is long and linear gives me the impression that it was something that was scoring his scales as he was sliding by or over it. Also, it looks like it is in different locations (e.g. his side and belly), but the pattern appears similar in the varying locations which makes me wonder if he has encountered the same thing at differing times. I would recommend running your hand over every surface in his enclosure to see if you can feel anything that might explain it.

I had no idea that the drill holes in my tubs had left some raised irregularities in the plastic on the inside of my tubs until my male pastel butter calico, who likes to chin rub, ended up with sores on his chin. Now, all my drill holes are smooth and my guy is healed.

[BoiseBallz]

Also, the fake plastic vines usually have "bendy" wire in them. He may have climbed on them enough to have exposed a piece of wire somewhere. I would examine the vine closely. Also, some of those vines come with suction cups that stick to the side of the viv to suspend the vines from little metal hooks. If you are using those, he could be scraping on the metal hooks when climbing. They can sometimes have an abrasive edge.

[JoshSloane]

In my experience rodent nails definitely can pierce snake skin, although the trauma usually looks like a puncture or gash. I've seen this before on a snake that had nothing in it's cage to scrape on. Just from observation it seems that some snakes can develop these linear abnormalities, but doesn't affect them or their health. Keep an eye on it.