New bp owner, question about its scales

Hello All,


Long time lurker here. Proud owner of a high contrast albino ball python for the past month. However (as with any first timer) I wanted to ask a question about something I realized about my little guy's scales. I tried searching the forums if anyone asked anything similar and Google images for a similar picture. It doesn't look like mites to me and its definitely not a burn. Could it be something he'll out grow/shed? Or something normal?

Any help please, and any advice as well.

Set up: 15 gal tank with stable humidity levels at around 60%, "warm" side is 84 degrees "cool" side is 70 degrees, eats f/t large mice and weighs approximately 170 grams he's about 3 months old


http://i57.tinypic.com/o74qig.jpg

Is there anything in the tank that he's been squished up next to (a textured hide, water bowl, etc)? Looks like indents from being pressed up against something to me

Looks like maybe some previous damage that is healing. Take a look at it again after his next shed and see if gets any better, keep an eye on it to make sure it isn't spreading in the mean time.

On a side note your temps are low. The hotspot should be at 88 to 90 and the cool side should be down around 80. What do you use for a heating element? How is the temperature controlled?

It looks like the scales are like bent. Noticed this on my albino as well. Nothing to worry about!

Hot side should be at 90 and the cool side should be a bit higher than 70.

Ah thank you all for the replies

He just had his first shed and it was a perfect shed. And those marks still stayed just got a little more noticeable after the shed. I'll definitely keep an eye on it but I wanted to ask experienced owners before I start getting worried. I'll give an update in about a month to see everyone thoughts about it again.

He doesn't really lay on anything, just in his hide then he comes out a night and hangs on a vine a few times and comes back down and lays there until the morning time and then goes back in his hide

For heating I have an under tank heater and a 40w red light.

Also another question, what's the general consensus regarding rats vs mice as feeders. Is there a definite nutritional difference between the two? I would like to start him on rats - he shows interest but doesn't budge probably because it's still a little big I'm guessing. So for now he just has large mice.

My albino has that too

All my babies have had that on the lighter colors, almost looks like missing scales, come 400+grams it all goes away.