unusual scales- big worries:(

So the scales of my little (regular pastel?) baby gal have suddenly turned sort of dry and strange to the touch.

Some general information;
She'll be turning 1 year this december, I don't know her exact weight as I haven't weighed her yet - but she eats a young mouse a week and barely skips meals.
Her cage moisture is usually around 50-55%. Her hot spot;about 80-82F, and cold spot; around 73F.
Her habitat is about 140 cm long and 45 cm tall.
She had a pretty good shed the previous time, she just had some stuck on her tail which she managed to wiggle off later the same day.

I've had some issues with her rebelling and going behind the glass and her wallpaper. (it's 3D so there are some hollow spots in there.)
Then we've got a sort of tight log that I had to block because it was impossible to feed her when she was in it, she wouldn't budge.
^ I reckon this might have been the cause of her scales looking like this, but if you know that it's not - please tell!

I don't know if I'm over-worrying and that this is something that will go away after a shed or so. I'm just afraid that she could possibly have some skin issues:<
Thanks for all replies.<3

----- (not-so-good pictures below)

(head)
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...826/image1.jpg

(body 01)
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...472/image3.jpg

(body 02)
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...728/image0.jpg

(body 03)
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...442/image2.jpg

She is a pretty little lass, maybe rub but I am by no means an expert hopefully someone with more experience will chime in any moment, best wishes always..;)

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Originally Posted by C.Marie

She is a pretty little lass, maybe rub but I am by no means an expert hopefully someone with more experience will chime in any moment, best wishes always..;)

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thank you <3

I don't have a bp already, but from many recommendations, I think you shold keep your hot spot around 90F and a cold side at least 75F... Maybe wait for someone more experienced, but I think it's a bit too cold...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Michelle-07

I don't have a bp already, but from many recommendations, I think you shold keep your hot spot around 90F and a cold side at least 75F... Maybe wait for someone more experienced, but I think it's a bit too cold...

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Yeah, I thought so too. I have to buy a new bulb so I can increase her temperature up to about 75-80F, especially now in the winter.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Michelle-07

I don't have a bp already, but from many recommendations, I think you shold keep your hot spot around 90F and a cold side at least 75F... Maybe wait for someone more experienced, but I think it's a bit too cold...

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Yup, you're spot on. Temps are definitely too cold.

Can you post some pics of the enclosure and the hides etc...
That backing "wallpaper" may need to come out and the log may not be a good idea. Basically, if it's not designed for snakes, it shouldn't be in there. What I mean is a lot of people use logs, skulls, trees, etc...that are designed for aquariums and other reptiles. But they can be dangerous to snakes.

Also, is there any tape or other adhesives in the enclosure? That's a HUGE no-no.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Yup, you're spot on. Temps are definitely too cold.

Can you post some pics of the enclosure and the hides etc...
That backing "wallpaper" may need to come out and the log may not be a good idea. Basically, if it's not designed for snakes, it shouldn't be in there. What I mean is a lot of people use logs, skulls, trees, etc...that are designed for aquariums and other reptiles. But they can be dangerous to snakes.

Also, is there any tape or other adhesives in the enclosure? That's a HUGE no-no.

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Everything I have in her habitat is specifically made for snakes, so that should be no issue at all.

And, yes, I do have both duct-tape and hot-glue in her enclosure. Though this should neither be an issue as there is zero way that she could ever get stuck.
The duct-tape is completely wrapped around a piece of cardboard that prevents her from climbing behind her wallpaper.
The hot-glue has dried ages ago, and is used to keep the cardboard piece in place.
I've assured the cage many times to make sure that she cannot get stuck to neither tape or glue.

The "issue-log" is what I think may have caused this? She has never had anything like that before I bought that log and placed it in her Viv.

Here are some pictures;

(full habitat)
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...324/image0.jpg

(issue log, also know as the log that I closed up)
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...656/image1.jpg

(tape-cardboard piece w/ glue)
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...744/image0.jpg

Hmmmm...I'm not sure what could have caused it based on the pics. Everything looks good. The enclosure looks awesome, actually.

I still say you're playing with fire having the tape in there, though. Although it looks secure now, there's a reason it's strongly advised not to use tape in an enclosure. I've seen pics that are heartbreaking, and read some horror stories, including one that ended up fatal.
In my personal opinion, it's just not worth the risk.

In any case, it looks like it's superficial and nothing that will effect the snakes health. It will most likely be gone next shed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Hmmmm...I'm not sure what could have caused it based on the pics. Everything looks good. The enclosure looks awesome, actually.

I still say you're playing with fire having the tape in there, though. Although it looks secure now, there's a reason it's strongly advised not to use tape in an enclosure. I've seen pics that are heartbreaking, and read some horror stories, including one that ended up fatal.
In my personal opinion, it's just not worth the risk.

In any case, it looks like it's superficial and nothing that will effect the snakes health. It will most likely be gone next shed.

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Yeah, I totally agree with you on the tape thing. I'd rather keep it all safe than having something that eventually CAN go wrong.
I'll look into replacing the tape with some other material.

Thank you a lot for the help though! I'll keep you posted after her next shed<3

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sIeepymoon

Yeah, I totally agree with you on the tape thing. I'd rather keep it all safe than having something that eventually CAN go wrong.
I'll look into replacing the tape with some other material.

Thank you a lot for the help though! I'll keep you posted after her next shed<3

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Sounds good!! I'm happy to help. :)

About her scales, looks like a very minor rub (scrape) from the log that will shed out (be gone).

Agree about using no tape in snake enclosures: tape can get soft, gooey & loosened when warm, then it re-sticks onto the snake. I'd have trouble believing
this too if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes...:rolleyes: just not worth the risk. Pretty cage btw.

You had mentioned getting an upgraded heat lamp for temps. Make sure you have it hooked to a thermostat to regulate the temps. Your enclosure is beautiful by the way.


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Also it looks like the snake has just 1 hide? They should have one hide on warm side and one on cool. Maybe that is why he is getting behind the background?


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jmarshall

Also it looks like the snake has just 1 hide? They should have one hide on warm side and one on cool. Maybe that is why he is getting behind the background?


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She has three hides! Well, she HAd three hides. The "issue log" was her third hide located in her hot spot as well.
Currently she has a lying log hide in her cold spot, and a big hide in her warm spot. You can spot them in previous pictures I've posted in this thread, but I'll just repost one here:)

Adalie is also fond of climbing and exploring, so she will climb whatever to get over to the other side and see what's going on there.

(hides v)
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...4794/hides.png

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jmarshall

You had mentioned getting an upgraded heat lamp for temps. Make sure you have it hooked to a thermostat to regulate the temps. Your enclosure is beautiful by the way.


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I'll make sure of so!
Also, thank you a ton:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

About her scales, looks like a very minor rub (scrape) from the log that will shed out (be gone).

Agree about using no tape in snake enclosures: tape can get soft, gooey & loosened when warm, then it re-sticks onto the snake. I'd have trouble believing
this too if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes...:rolleyes: just not worth the risk. Pretty cage btw.

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Heheh, yeah, I've never seen it and I'd rather never see it. I didn't realise tape was such a big issue, you learn something new everyday!
I hope they'll be fine after she sheds.

Thanks for the reply!

The enclosure looks very nice! :)

What kind of background is that?


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by alittleFREE

What kind of background is that?


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It's just a regular 3D Rock vivarium background. I'm do not remember I got it from, but I'll look for it.
If you're looking to find something similar you can pretty much just look up "3D vivarium background", and you'll get a ton of hits.

Here are some links I found;
- https://www.reptilecentre.com/backgr...606.htm?page=1
- https://www.rockways.co.uk/rockways-...unds-overview/
- http://www.bigappleherp.com/REPTILE-...ES/Backgrounds

- - - Updated - - -

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Michelle-07

The enclosure looks very nice! :)

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Thank you a lot!

update!

so Adalie shed just about two days ago. Her shed was not the best shed she has had, it wasn't too bad but it wasn't perfect either. I assisted her a tad to get her remaining shed of off her body.

Her scales seem to be aokay though! They're not dry or peculiar to the touch anymore, so they were most likely just minor scrubs like some of you mentioned. Also, while trying to take pictures of her scales, she yawned and I was lucky enough to get it on camera! (I need to film her more rather than taking pictures hff)

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...9/IMG_1174.JPG
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...9/IMG_1175.JPG
big yawns<3
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen.../IMG_E1176.JPG

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sIeepymoon

Everything I have in her habitat is specifically made for snakes, so that should be no issue at all.

And, yes, I do have both duct-tape and hot-glue in her enclosure. Though this should neither be an issue as there is zero way that she could ever get stuck.
The duct-tape is completely wrapped around a piece of cardboard that prevents her from climbing behind her wallpaper.
The hot-glue has dried ages ago, and is used to keep the cardboard piece in place.
I've assured the cage many times to make sure that she cannot get stuck to neither tape or glue.

The "issue-log" is what I think may have caused this? She has never had anything like that before I bought that log and placed it in her Viv.

Here are some pictures;

(full habitat)
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...324/image0.jpg

(issue log, also know as the log that I closed up)
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...656/image1.jpg

(tape-cardboard piece w/ glue)
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...744/image0.jpg

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Hot rocks are marketed for snakes too.
You can still find heat pads that insist you don't need to regulate them. Don't trust the manufacturer claims!

Tapes get damp, and peels back.

I posted before realizing there was an extra page to this thread.
Didn't mean to jump all over you.

Very pretty cage. Glad she is doing better.
I've had good luck with securing things with silicone. IMHO, a light adhesive can be safely used IF you silicone over all the tape edges and let the silicone cure 24 hours with the animal secured elsewhere.

She's looking good, glad it's going well. She even yawned for the photo, tell her next time to face the camera with her toothy grin, ha ha ha! :snake:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by distaff

I posted before realizing there was an extra page to this thread.
Didn't mean to jump all over you.

Very pretty cage. Glad she is doing better.
I've had good luck with securing things with silicone. IMHO, a light adhesive can be safely used IF you silicone over all the tape edges and let the silicone cure 24 hours with the animal secured elsewhere.

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Thank you a lot!
Yeah, I thought using silicone as well, though I wasn't too sure about that but now I am:) Thanks for the tip!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

She's looking good, glad it's going well. She even yawned for the photo, tell her next time to face the camera with her toothy grin, ha ha ha! :snake:

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Ahh, gosh, she just will not face me whenever she yawns! She's such a tease, gee.