Please help with snakes scales

Today I checked on my snakes and my one male pied has discoloured (brown/grey) scales on the bottom and side around his head.

He looked perfectly white three days ago. Under his head is normally fully white.

I was wondering if this looks like dirt or a stain and I should give him a bath. Scale rot (there are no blisters) and start a antibiotic ointment treatment or chlorhexidine gluconate rub. Or if you think it can be something else.

My other 26 balls look perfectly fine.

Any help would be very appreciated.

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...have you tried wiping it off?

What substrate is he on? Is it something that could stain?

I tried using a paper towel with warm water but nothing came off and paper towel was still white. He let me do it no problem. Still acting fully himself

Aspen shavings. Since I checked on him three days ago he spilled his water and very little black mold started to form. I cleaned out his freedom breeder shelf before posting

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Originally Posted by Daveb82

Aspen shavings. Since I checked on him three days ago he spilled his water and very little black mold started to form. I cleaned out his freedom breeder shelf before posting

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how long was that mold allowed to grow??

Maximum of three days if he spilled it right after I checked him last

If he was on aspen shavings that got moldy, I would treat like scale rot if it were me and also keep an eye on his breathing for respiratory infections. Diluted betadine is an option. You can also consider visiting a vet, but it may not be necessary if it isn't spreading and you don't start seeing any symptoms of respiratory infection. Definitely watch to make sure it doesn't get worse.

Are you talking about his “five o’clock shadow” ? Because to the best of my knowledge all pieds have that, including mine. Maybe multiple gene pieds don’t? Hope this helps.

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Originally Posted by Sonny1318

Are you talking about his “five o’clock shadow” ? Because to the best of my knowledge all pieds have that, including mine. Maybe multiple gene pieds don’t? Hope this helps.

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my boy doesn't :confusd: but he's still a wee lil thing.

I will definitely keep an eye on him.

What is five o'clock shadow? I tried looking up pieds with it and can't find anything.

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Originally Posted by Daveb82

I will definitely keep an eye on him.

What is five o'clock shadow? I tried looking up pieds with it and can't find anything.

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Under his jaw, like he didn’t shave for a couple days. That’s what it looks like to me.

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Originally Posted by tttaylorrr

my boy doesn't :confusd: but he's still a wee lil thing.

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Hey Taylor, isn’t your little guy a yellow-belly? I pretty sure it’s common or normal on most pieds, Debra would know for sure. 😀

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Originally Posted by Sonny1318

Hey Taylor, isn’t your little guy a yellow-belly? I pretty sure it’s common or normal on most pieds, Debra would know for sure. [emoji3]

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he's a normal Piebald.

I'm surprised I can't find any info on it. That sounds exactly like it. Only under his jaw. Have to keep looking for info on it. Thanks

Found this in case anyone else is worried about the same thing.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-on-bottom-jaw

Thank you so much for pointing me in this direction. I was very worried. I will definitely keep an eye on him but that looks exactly the same as my guy.