Is this normal???

Pls help!!! I feed my BP today and noticed a bare patch between his two selarate bottom jaws where it seemed scales were missing. I know he stretches and that there is some separation there but this seemed like way too much. I'd never noticed this before and I was wondering if it was normal or if he really is missing scales amd what I can do to Help, and what I did wrong so I can avoid it in the future. Photo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwI...w?usp=drivesdk

Update: after feeding it appears his jaw isnt missing any scales. I know you probably think I'm stupid, but I has never seen his skin stretched that far. I still think there might be an issue, but I just thought I would share that info as well

Contact the place where u got him from. For me it doesn't look normal. It could be a burn or live rat, mouse bit.

Totally normal - that's just how their face works. The lower jaw is not one piece but two, connected by a ligament and can move separate. That scaleless bit comes standard.

OK thank you, I know he's supposed to have a separation there but I didnt know if it was bad it was that significant (or more significant than usual) perhaps its just because hes growing
Thanks again!

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I've had him for a while and I'd never seen it before and I only feed him frozen thawed so I dont think thats it, but I will keep that in mind 👍👍👍 thanks!

Also I see you joined recently, welcome to the forum! I've found it so extremely helpful i hope you do too! 😊

Yeah that's completely normal! All balls have it! :D It freaked me out too when I had my first ball lol


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It's called the mental groove.

Nothing to worry about there.

Looks like you're using a feeding tub though? If so, I would reconsider that and start feeding in the snake's regular enclosure.

Ive been feeding him in the tub because if I feed him in his enclosure he will drop the mouse in the dirt/constirct it in the dirt and once it gets dirty he refuses to eat it/swallows substrate. I wish I could feed him in his tank because I know that's the preferred method but if I do he wastes mice and (more importantly) won't eat :/ feeding him in the tub doesn't make him go into feeding mode when I want to take him out and handle him so I have decided it's the best option

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Originally Posted by 6037201

Contact the place where u got him from. For me it doesn't look normal. It could be a burn or live rat, mouse bit.

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^^^^^^ If you do not know the answer to a question, especially ones referring to medical issues, please refrain from answering. You can make people freak out for no good reason. There is nothing wrong with this animal.

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Originally Posted by spellbound04

Ive been feeding him in the tub because if I feed him in his enclosure he will drop the mouse in the dirt/constirct it in the dirt and once it gets dirty he refuses to eat it/swallows substrate. I wish I could feed him in his tank because I know that's the preferred method but if I do he wastes mice and (more importantly) won't eat :/ feeding him in the tub doesn't make him go into feeding mode when I want to take him out and handle him so I have decided it's the best option

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This is not the norm, but if it is what is working for you and the snake it is fine.

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Originally Posted by spellbound04

Ive been feeding him in the tub because if I feed him in his enclosure he will drop the mouse in the dirt/constirct it in the dirt and once it gets dirty he refuses to eat it/swallows substrate. I wish I could feed him in his tank because I know that's the preferred method but if I do he wastes mice and (more importantly) won't eat :/ feeding him in the tub doesn't make him go into feeding mode when I want to take him out and handle him so I have decided it's the best option

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Gotcha. I wouldn't want to disrupt what is working either. Like JodanOrNoDan said, if it's working for you and the snake it's fine. No need to reconsider since you've already tried feeding him in his enclosure.

Not trying to sway you away from what's working for you, just throwing it out there...Have you tried laying down a paper towel or paper plate or something in the enclosure for a feeding to avoid the substrate issue? I do that with my corn snakes because they tend to get some substrate if I don't. I know a little won't hurt the snake, but I figure why not avoid it if it's that simple to avoid?

Anyway, keep doing what's working for you and your snake :gj: