Mouth seems weird

Hello
Sorry I am freaking out and I have to make sure if he is alright. I just noticed that the part of his mouth looks weird. It almost seems like it is rotten or something. I have brought him home and set him in his tub and haven’t really looked at him close. I just noticed it today. His spines are also noticeably sticking out, I can feel it. I have attached the pictures. Please can anyone identify what this is? Also, isn’t spine showing not good? It still has not been a week so I was just waiting to feed him. What should I do.
Edit- seems like his spine was like that from when I picked him up. He is 134 g and 4~5 months. I also found picture from when I picked him out, seems like the mouth was like that.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...88b90799ab.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...07289bcb7f.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...2e7a726f58.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...95323a2ceb.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...57398826e7.jpg


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stuck shed on the tip of his snoot, or the start of a shed. make sure your humidity is in the proper range and it will come off eventually or at next shed.

he is young; seeing a spine is not surprising.

what are the little black specks on him?

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

what are the little black specks on him?

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this is a Banana morph, which gets its name from those black spots as they make the snake look like a ripe banana. :gj:

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

this is a Banana morph, which gets its name from those black spots as they make the snake look like a ripe banana. :gj:

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Just making sure was not mites. Nice looking fella.

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

stuck shed on the tip of his snoot, or the start of a shed. make sure your humidity is in the proper range and it will come off eventually or at next shed.

he is young; seeing a spine is not surprising.

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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e22c23afba.jpg
This was before I picked him up. Seems like he had it before I brought him home. So it is not like infection? I heard some stuck sheds are dangerous, is the mouth shed not part of it?



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Originally Posted by gusanr14

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...e22c23afba.jpg
This was before I picked him up. Seems like he had it before I brought him home. So it is not like infection? I heard some stuck sheds are dangerous, is the mouth shed not part of it?

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the only bad areas for stuck shed to be is on the tail tip, around the circumference of the body, or on the eyes. people advise to remove shed around the nose as it can create a "wheezing" sound when the snake breathes or the snake can have a hard time breathing if the shed is covering the nostrils. you can try to wet the area and remove the skin with a q-tip, but that might not be worth the resulting stress on you both. just make sure your humidity is where it should be and it will be a non-issue.

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

the only bad areas for stuck shed to be is on the tail tip, around the circumference of the body, or on the eyes. people advise to remove shed around the nose as it can create a "wheezing" sound when the snake breathes or the snake can have a hard time breathing if the shed is covering the nostrils. you can try to wet the area and remove the skin with a q-tip, but that might not be worth the resulting stress on you both. just make sure your humidity is where it should be and it will be a non-issue.

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so your sure this is just stuck shed? first time keeping and finding this is a shock. Looks like a rotten teeth compare to human, so I was just worried. I hope it comes off next shed :(
also haven't noticed any wheezing sound.

Looks like stuck shed to me too. It will most likely come off next shed with proper husbandry.

As for the spine, not uncommon, he'll beef up.

You should be leaving him alone until he's eating though. I know you're excited, but you'll have plenty of time to handle him, 25+ years. Let him acclimate, let yourself decompress and ENJOY your new pet.

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Originally Posted by gusanr14

so your sure this is just stuck shed? first time keeping and finding this is a shock. Looks like a rotten teeth compare to human, so I was just worried. I hope it comes off next shed :(
also haven't noticed any wheezing sound.

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then it's probably just around the heat pits and not the nostrils.

i'm like 97% sure it's just stuck shed...and 3% sure it's snake skin cancer. :gj:

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

that might not be worth the resulting stress on you both..

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The best part of what you just said. Lmbo

Just out of curiosity I know this is your first snake but are you a younger, middle aged or older person? I dont know how you can enjoy your new little guy because most of your 130 posts in 4 weeks you said you were panicking. The only time you should panic a little is if you loose him or step on him. Everything else can be dealt with without making yourself crazy. Look at how much help you have received from people here and everything is going fine so far.. yet your still panicking???
By the way he is awesome looking. Cool choice.


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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Looks like stuck shed to me too. It will most likely come off next shed with proper husbandry.

As for the spine, not uncommon, he'll beef up.

You should be leaving him alone until he's eating though. I know you're excited, but you'll have plenty of time to handle him, 25+ years. Let him acclimate, let yourself decompress and ENJOY your new pet.

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yea, I had no idea what stuck shed looked like on the mouth so I was worried. But yea, I should just leave it be since I know what it is.

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Originally Posted by CALM Pythons

The best part of what you just said. Lmbo

Just out of curiosity I know this is your first snake but are you a younger, middle aged or older person? I dont know how you can enjoy your new little guy because most of your 130 posts in 3 weeks you said you were panicking. The only time you should panic a little is if you loose him or step on him. Everything else can be dealt with without making yourself crazy. Look at how much help you have received from people here and everything is going fine so far.. yet your still panicking???


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Yea, I am a college student freaks out at everything honestly but ends up fine. But honestly this I have never seen while searching for information and I saw many posts regards to scale rotting or something so I thought it could be related to that. I mean at least I got my husbandry perfect after thousands of help haha. I just wanted to make perfect for the snake but I do make people annoying by asking so much whenever I am new to something.

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

then it's probably just around the heat pits and not the nostrils.

i'm like 97% sure it's just stuck shed...and 3% sure it's snake skin cancer. :gj:

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thanks.. again I called people to attention for nothing :(

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Originally Posted by gusanr14

yea, I had no idea what stuck shed looked like on the mouth so I was worried. But yea, I should just leave it be since I know what it is.

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Believe me, im not trying to break your stones, but you really need to step back and pretend your snake isnt there. He appears healthy, just let him be. Check his water daily, spot clean if you see pee/poop/urates. Other than that, until feeding day forget he's there.
You're panicking already over every little detail. You definitely don't need to add not eating to your list. The best way to get your new guy eating and acclimated is to leave him alone.
Remember, it's about what's best for the animal, not what's best for you (wanting to handle him). You literally have 25+ years to enjoy him, resist temptation for a few weeks until he's eating without refusal. You'll be in a better place to enjoy him sooner if you let him acclimate without stressing him (and yourself) out.

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Originally Posted by gusanr14

thanks.. again I called people to attention for nothing :(

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i'd rather you ask a million "dumb" questions than neglect to ask one that's important. :)

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Originally Posted by gusanr14

I just wanted to make perfect for the snake but I do make people annoying by asking so much whenever I am new to something.

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You're not annoying, we just want to see you RELAX and ENJOY your new pet.
That being said, feel free to ask if you're truly concerned, but try not to let yourself get all anxious.

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Originally Posted by gusanr14

Yea, I am a college student freaks out at everything honestly but ends up fine. But honestly this I have never seen while searching for information and I saw many posts regards to scale rotting or something so I thought it could be related to that. I mean at least I got my husbandry perfect after thousands of help haha. I just wanted to make perfect for the snake but I do make people annoying by asking so much whenever I am new to something.

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Well no more panicking.. You can ask away as you know everyone helps each other on this site. Just do it calmly for "Goodness Snake" hahahaha.


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I'm not trying to cause you to panic, but to me it looks almost like a old "rub".

And please know that those resolve themselves on their own as long as the snake is set up correct now, so no worries!!

I have looked at it up close and compared to several close up's I have of my own snakes.

It certainly could be just old shed!! But it also looks smooshed in a bit. It could have started as a stuck shed and the snake started trying to get it off and smushing his face into stuff. Or he could have not been happy in his former setup and tried to get out (or hunt, or explore) and started rubbing his nose on stuff while trying to push out.

I've seen it before and they can do quite a number on their face. Does the snake currently push with its head on stuff?

IF that is a old "rub" it doesn't look infected or inflamed. IF that is what it is , it should look just about back to normal after the next shed is over.

Just keep an eye on it, make sure your husbandry is correct, make sure the humidity is bumped up once the shed cycle starts. Either way, it should resolve after the next shed.

And NEVER stop asking questions ;) As long as people are open to suggestions and help, no question is a stupid question ;)

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Originally Posted by zina10

I'm not trying to cause you to panic, but to me it looks almost like a old "rub".

And please know that those resolve themselves on their own as long as the snake is set up correct now, so no worries!!

I have looked at it up close and compared to several close up's I have of my own snakes.

It certainly could be just old shed!! But it also looks smooshed in a bit. It could have started as a stuck shed and the snake started trying to get it off and smushing his face into stuff. Or he could have not been happy in his former setup and tried to get out (or hunt, or explore) and started rubbing his nose on stuff while trying to push out.

I've seen it before and they can do quite a number on their face. Does the snake currently push with its head on stuff?

IF that is a old "rub" it doesn't look infected or inflamed. IF that is what it is , it should look just about back to normal after the next shed is over.

Just keep an eye on it, make sure your husbandry is correct, make sure the humidity is bumped up once the shed cycle starts. Either way, it should resolve after the next shed.

And NEVER stop asking questions ;) As long as people are open to suggestions and help, no question is a stupid question ;)

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Thanks.
He has been going around the tub lid and stuff but for less than 5 minutes and even in the 5 minutes, he just wanders around not rubbing and goes back to hide. I don't think he is pushing it with force, I think he is just looking around at least from my perspective. Since he had it before I brought him, I know that it didn't happen from my set up at least.

I have learned so much just by asking lots of random or small questions in the forums. People here are generally kind and just want to help. I am a newbie to snake keeping too so I can relate to the anxiety. Are they happy? What if they suddenly drop dead?

But nothing is usually so dire. So enjoy your new cutie snoot. :)

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Originally Posted by gusanr14

Thanks.
He has been going around the tub lid and stuff but for less than 5 minutes and even in the 5 minutes, he just wanders around not rubbing and goes back to hide. I don't think he is pushing it with force, I think he is just looking around at least from my perspective. Since he had it before I brought him, I know that it didn't happen from my set up at least.

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That is great !!

In case that is a old rub, at least he isn't pushing anymore.

Before long, he will shed and then it will look a lot better. Keep the humidity where it should be, and raise it a bit more during the shed cycle.

Certainly is a very beautiful snake you have !!!

About the spine, that is perfectly normal. You SHOULD see a spine. If you have a BP that has a indent, where the spine should be, you have a incredible obese Ball Python. There is only a problem when you have a snake that has a VERY prominent spine and sunk in sides right below it, ribs sticking out and overall looking like its skin is 3 sizes to big for its body.

Yours doesn't look skinny at all :)

On the subject of good husbandry and not worrying...after 10,000 hours of research and learning from experienced forum members, I finally have my husbandry so damn perfect, that I barely need to do anything at all for my snakes.
They stay happy and calm, in their warm, humid, dark hides. I don't even spot clean very day, because they are bedded in a thick layer of coconut substrate which absorbs the waste and odors incredibly well. Their tubs are very large, so that can move around between hides, thermoregulate as needed, and excrete waste in a corner of the tub, and avoid it until I clean up.

Basically I just monitor them once or twice a day.
1)Ambient cool side temps? 77-82 F -check (thermostatically controlled infrared space heater in my small snake room)
2)Hot spot temps? 88-92 F -check (thermostatically controlled heat tape)
3)Humidity? 55-80% range -check (6 gallon whole house humidifier and slightly moist coconut substrate in perfectly ventilated tubs)
4)Substrate clean? -check (spot clean the coconut fiber)

My rack setup is so dialed in, I literally do almost nothing, It is like having houseplants, except they eat a big rat once a week. :D

oh, and make sure they have clean water bowls of course. SO MUCH WORK! ;)