question about my snakes scales please help

Hi i have a mojave ball python about 183g. I have recently noticed that his scales on his spine have kind of thinned out, i guess you can say. It is a noticeably white line along his back where it looks like his scales are coming off? please help if you have any ideas of what is happening.

Can you post a picture?

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Can you post a picture?

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if you can inform me how lol :)
knew to this site

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...+post+pictures

Oh yeah this thread will help you out

Thats why I made this awesome thread!

take a look!

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-with-pictures)

hope it helps!

If you use a photo sharing service they will have a link for forums you can paste into the text body.

Check you hides and areas where the snake may scrape against they do sometimes catch and scrap off a scale or two. As long as there is not cut through the skin under the scales usually there is no issue. It may be something completely different too pictures may help.

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Originally Posted by kholmes25

if you can inform me how lol :)
knew to this site

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Upload to the photo to Photobucket, then copy the url link and paste it here :)

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Originally Posted by Andybill

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...+post+pictures

Oh yeah this thread will help you out

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Originally Posted by reptiliachnids

Thats why I made this awesome thread!

take a look!

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-with-pictures)

hope it helps!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

If you use a photo sharing service they will have a link for forums you can paste into the text body.

Check you hides and areas where the snake may scrape against they do sometimes catch and scrap off a scale or two. As long as there is not cut through the skin under the scales usually there is no issue. It may be something completely different too pictures may help.

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Dang, we all posted at the same time, lol. We're good :gj:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Can you post a picture?

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http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/.../WP_000149.jpg

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/.../WP_000150.jpg

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/.../WP_000151.jpg

Is there something in his enclosure he could be rubbing on? Has he shed recently?

I have seen BP's with something like this before, but don't know exactly what it was. Can you give us some info on the snake?

How often/how much he eats

Caging (including heat source, method of temperature measurement, and current temperatures/humidity)

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Originally Posted by heathers*bps

Is there something in his enclosure he could be rubbing on? Has he shed recently?

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actually now that i think about it none of them have recently shed. and they all kinda just stay in the corner all day until i turn out the light. i got a screen top and now the tank hold practically no humidity even with the moss... idk what to do.. i've been soaking them alot too

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Originally Posted by heathers*bps

Dang, we all posted at the same time, lol. We're good :gj:

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Yeah I saw that! Lol great job team! :gj:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I have seen BP's with something like this before, but don't know exactly what it was. Can you give us some info on the snake?

How often/how much he eats

Caging (including heat source, method of temperature measurement, and current temperatures/humidity)

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ok hes in a 90gallon tank. Has about 35% humidity on a regular basis. 80-85 degrees. eats sometimes weekly but usually every 2 weeks. 1 small rat a week. He is about 183g. i use a reptifogger for more humidity when needed. my tank has a half log hide big enough for 3 snake to go under so he doesnt really rub.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kholmes25

actually now that i think about it none of them have recently shed. and they all kinda just stay in the corner all day until i turn out the light. i got a screen top and now the tank hold practically no humidity even with the moss... idk what to do.. i've been soaking them alot too

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Soaking isn't the best, it removes essential oils from their scales, and can stress them out. It is only recommended in certain situations where the good outweighs the bad.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Soaking isn't the best, it removes essential oils from their scales, and can stress them out. It is only recommended in certain situations where the good outweighs the bad.

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well i kind of make it out that i do it all them time but i really dont. Like 1 time a month unless the skin is loose i have read it most likely means they are dehydrated which isnt very often that they are if they are.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kholmes25

ok hes in a 90gallon tank. Has about 35% humidity on a regular basis. 80-85 degrees. eats sometimes weekly but usually every 2 weeks. 1 small rat a week. He is about 183g. i use a reptifogger for more humidity when needed. my tank has a half log hide big enough for 3 snake to go under so he doesnt really rub.

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Ok, a few things are wrong.

You need to get the hot side hotter... 88-92 hot side, 78-82 cool side. No part of the cage should ever get above 95 or lower than 75 degrees.

Your cage is way too big. Do you have more than one in the same cage? That is a bad idea.

Half log hides aren't very good, they provide very little security for the snake. Enclosed hides are much better.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kholmes25

well i kind of make it out that i do it all them time but i really dont. Like 1 time a month unless the skin is loose i have read it most likely means they are dehydrated which isnt very often that they are if they are.

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Evn once a month is far too much...

Soaking is bad news.

how can it be too big? i mean i understand that its possible.

and why is it a bad idea if they live together. they show no signs of aggression or stress at any times they all eat pretty well and all move around the tank at night.

and i am making a hut for my snake as we speak. i will fill it with moss in one side and the other side dryer.

ok with everything that you hear i am doing wrong, could you please inform me of why and an alternative method??

thanks :)

Large cages stress out snakes... In nature they seek out small places that feel safe (this is why we use hides) the general rule is 1 square foot of floor space for each foot of snake.

In the wild BP's live on their own from the moment they slither out of the egg. When they are forced into a cage together they have to compete for hides, basking spots, and if 1 gets sick they all will... Further there are reported cases of cannibalism. What looks like them snuggling is them actually trying to dominate each other.

Snake hides need to be snug... Like so

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...t/21819934.jpg

What are you using to heat the cage? What are you using to measure temperatures?

I suggest that you read these 2 threads:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...04#post1845904

There are issues that have been pointed out. That been said I have a mojave that has a similar lighter yellow at the ridge of the spine not quite the same but lighter spots here and there.

Is your snake eating regularly? if so the size of the tank isn't a problem stressed animals rarely eat at all. I would adjust your temps!

Are they similar to this?

http://images28.fotki.com/v1031/phot...CC_5129-vi.jpgHosted on Fotki

http://images112.fotki.com/v106/phot...CC_5125-vi.jpgHosted on Fotki

thanks alot! you can't rely on these local stores anymore because they will tell you all the wrong.. I will definitely stick to this website because people are so helpful. I always thought they seemed to be suffering, but was never sure. I will get on changing the cages asap. I plan on getting a snake rack. Any suggestions on a cheaper snake rack that also looks nice?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

There are issues that have been pointed out. That been said I have a mojave that has a similar lighter yellow at the ridge of the spine not quite the same but lighter spots here and there.

Is your snake eating regularly? if so the size of the tank isn't a problem stressed animals rarely eat at all. I would adjust your temps!

Are they similar to this?

http://images28.fotki.com/v1031/phot...CC_5129-vi.jpgHosted on Fotki

http://images112.fotki.com/v106/phot...CC_5125-vi.jpgHosted on Fotki

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yeah fairly the same.. Maybe a genetic thing? or our eyes are just seeing something that's right as being really wrong lol. idk but if you find anything out let me know!

remember that racks need the room heated to the cool side temp... 80ºF generally this is something you should think about before you plan on a rack it is a professional tool. It requires specific conditions to work well.

I'm a fan of Animal Plastics and Reptile Basics racks

AP: http://www.animalplastics.com/

RBI: http://www.reptilebasics.com/reptile-rack-systems

I suggest getting a rack that uses IRIS tubs. IRIS doesn't change the size of their tubs very often unlike other brands.

AP also makes cages for snakes (which is what I use) these don't need a heated room, and hold humidity in great.

Here is a thread I wrote on them:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

Mine is a big boy he is 1/2 saharan and 2100 gm and 5 feet. It is just that way the scales are on mojos often anyway they have lighter edges and darker centres when they bend and flex a certain way they look quite a bit lighter.

Isn't 35% humidity asking for an RI? I thought the norm was 50-60....

wow 35% constant humidity is also really low? it has to be between 50-60% and 60-70% for shed

try get the humidity up!

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Originally Posted by mackynz

Isn't 35% humidity asking for an RI? I thought the norm was 50-60....

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Asking for an RI? Probably not. Low humidity alone isn't going to automatically give your snake an RI.


Switching to tubs will solve your humidity and temp issues. New hides will probably make your snakes feed weekly and put on some weight. The one in the pic looks a little thin.

This thread has a great, cheap fix for humidity and helps with temps a bit.

Low humidity is very unlikely to cause RI high humidity with low air flow is more likely. I would be cautious in restricting air flow too much. 30 is low but 45-65 is fine a humid hide will go a long way to solve any problems during shed cycles.