Is this a retained shed or a fungal infection - 1 year old ball python
Hello,
First post, new first time ball python owner. His name is Rigby. He is healthy and has eaten very well, up until winter started where he feed less; every 1 month vs ever 7-10 days. However, he has lost no weight and has gained weight since his reduced feedings started.
Question:
Is this retained shed or a start of a fungal infection (See photos)? He shed perfectly in his old tank but after switching to the new tank (October 2020) his first shed in November 2020, I noticed this on his head (see photos). I waited for him to shed again and when he did (Jan 2021), it seemed to get a tad worse not better. Looking for some experienced advice, thanks.
Maybe it is because it is very dry this winter here in Illinois. Or maybe it is because he likes to cram his head in between the sliding glass door and black PVC window trim of his new tank (see photos). He does this allot and it is a very tight fit.
Or maybe it is a fungal infection, if that is the case I will take him to my bearded dragon reptile vet. However, if it is just stuck shed, i would like to try to remove it some how or wait till summer and save the CASH $$$.
Husbandry Information:
Weight: 767 Grams
Enclosure: Animal Plastics T10 - 48L X 24W X 15H ) See photo
- Was in a 40 gallon breaded with installation on the sides up until October 2020 when he got his new T10.
Temps:
Hot Side: 88-92f
Cool Side: 78-82f
Ambient: 78-80f
Heat source:
RHP and Heat tape (both on thermostats)
Humidity: (I have temp probes inside each hide as well)
Cool side: 55-65
Cool side hide: 50-60
hot side: 48-55
hot side hide: 48-50 (this hide has been drier this winter, so i have to mist the hot side more often)
Hides:
Hot side and cool side, both stuffed with paper towels - he likes them tight.
PHOTOS:
His head with stuck shed or maybe fungal infection:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ht...-no?authuser=0
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1L...-no?authuser=0
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/B8...-no?authuser=0
Enclosure:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/u2...-no?authuser=0
Where he likes to cram his head in between sliding glass door and PVC black window trim:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/AX...-no?authuser=0
Re: Is this a retained shed or a fungal infection - 1 year old ball python
Enclosure sounds dialed in, but can't see your pictures. Tapatalk app for your phone or tablet is the easiest means of uploading
Re: Is this a retained shed or a fungal infection - 1 year old ball python
Re: Is this a retained shed or a fungal infection - 1 year old ball python
Looks to be just some dryish scales that may have peeled a slight extra layer away with his last shed. I’ve had that on occasion in the past with no issues. Could be related to jamming his head in the door gap too, but doesn’t look to be worth much if any additional consideration in my opinion.
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Re: Is this a retained shed or a fungal infection - 1 year old ball python
Thank you for the response. Appreciate the feedback, I will just keep an eye on it then.
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