Help~my ball python neck scale does not look right

Hi guys! My ball python's back neck part has some brown dots, looks like some injure on the scale? Some scales look like being peeled up a little(Sorry, English is not my first language, not sure how to describe it) . It happened before, I always thought it's because he rubs his head? But I'm still kind of worried. He's a very shy snake, I have him for around 2 years I remember. For the last few months he suddenly does not eat. last week he starts to eat again so I was so happy, but I'm so worried about his scale. Is this some kind of disease or because he rub his head/neck? His all other scale parts of his body are fine, it's always the head and back neck. Thank you so much!
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...g1_116970.jpeg
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...mg2_90462.jpeg
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...g3_677254.jpeg

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Originally Posted by alice40604345

Hi guys! My ball python's back neck part has some brown dots, looks like some injure on the scale? Some scales look like being peeled up a little(Sorry, English is not my first language, not sure how to describe it) . It happened before, I always thought it's because he rubs his head? But I'm still kind of worried. He's a very shy snake, I have him for around 2 years I remember. For the last few months he suddenly does not eat. last week he starts to eat again so I was so happy, but I'm so worried about his scale. Is this some kind of disease or because he rub his head/neck? His all other scale parts of his body are fine, it's always the head and back neck. Thank you so much!
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...g1_116970.jpeg
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...mg2_90462.jpeg
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...g3_677254.jpeg

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How long ago did he shed? I notice this with my lighter colored snakes right before they shed sometimes.


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Originally Posted by ReptileRant

How long ago did he shed? I notice this with my lighter colored snakes right before they shed sometimes.


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Thank you! He shed two weeks ago. When he shed, I only spot one or two brown dots there, no scale was peeled up, now it gets more. It happened before but I always thought it's just because he rub his head..

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Originally Posted by alice40604345

Thank you! He shed two weeks ago. When he shed, I only spot one or two brown dots there, no scale was peeled up, now it gets more. It happened before but I always thought it's just because he rub his head..

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Ok, do you use a screen lid on your cage and do you have anything rough in his cage? Also if you feed live a rat may have scratched him.


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Originally Posted by ReptileRant

Ok, do you use a screen lid on your cage and do you have anything rough in his cage? Also if you feed live a rat may have scratched him.


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I use sterilite cage and I don't think there's something very hard or sharp there, and I feed them frozen rat, so I feel so weird. :confusd:

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Originally Posted by alice40604345

I use sterilite cage and I don't think there's something very hard or sharp there, and I feed them frozen rat, so I feel so weird. :confusd:

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Hmm, yea that is strange. What type of substrate do you use?


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Originally Posted by ReptileRant

Hmm, yea that is strange. What type of substrate do you use?


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Thanks! I use reptile prime.

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Originally Posted by alice40604345

Thanks! I use reptile prime.

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Ok, well just make sure it isn’t to wet. It should be somewhat damp, but not soaked. There is a very small possibility that it is scale rot, but that normally happens on the snakes belly.


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Originally Posted by ReptileRant

Ok, well just make sure it isn’t to wet. It should be somewhat damp, but not soaked. There is a very small possibility that it is scale rot, but that normally happens on the snakes belly.


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Thank you so much! So I don't need to worry about like parasite or some inner disease right? The cage makes the humidity always around 70%. I thought it may be kind of too high, but since they shed and eat well so I didn't lower it. Maybe I should drill more holes?

Mine gets this sometimes when he starts to grow out of his hide. He starts lifting it with his head instead of exiting the hole a quick hide upgrade and shed solves the issue for me.

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Originally Posted by alice40604345

Thank you so much! So I don't need to worry about like parasite or some inner disease right? The cage makes the humidity always around 70%. I thought it may be kind of too high, but since they shed and eat well so I didn't lower it. Maybe I should drill more holes?

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No definitely not, I guessing he’s either rubbing against something or the humidity might be a slight bit high. 70% really isn’t to much higher than it should be. 60% is the best for them, but a little higher or lower doesn’t hurt.


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Originally Posted by walzon1

Mine gets this sometimes when he starts to grow out of his hide. He starts lifting it with his head instead of exiting the hole a quick hide upgrade and shed solves the issue for me.

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Oh thank you! That's possible for mine too! ! This also happens too your snake's head/neck right? My hides have small entrance, I bought those black plastic hides, I always think the entrance is not big enough and the height is too low! May be when they squeeze their head/neck under the hide side out and pull back make those scales injured and peeled up? Thank you guys, I was so worried this morning and now I feel so relief!

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Originally Posted by ReptileRant

No definitely not, I guessing he’s either rubbing against something or the humidity might be a slight bit high. 70% really isn’t to much higher than it should be. 60% is the best for them, but a little higher or lower doesn’t hurt.


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Thank you!!! I was so worried about what causes this and search around the whole morning but haven't seen people post symptoms like this. Now I'm so relieved. I'll make more holes and try to lower the humidity! His old glass tank was always around 50% but too low during shedding, and hard to keep humidity so I change to those cages, but then the humidity is hard to get lower :snake:

I have a bp that has almost the same markings. She was in an terrestrial cage with a foam backing. She had climbed back there twice. Nudging her head between the plastic and the backing. I’m certain that’s we’re her scrape marks came from. She had outgrown her cool side hide and I didn’t realize it. I replaced her hide with a bigger one and removed the backing. Your snake may be trying to push through your lid if it’s a tub with latches. Also if you are concerned with sharp plastic hides. You can always take a lighter and smooth the rough edges.

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Originally Posted by Igotsmallballs

I have a bp that has almost the same markings. She was in an terrestrial cage with a foam backing. She had climbed back there twice. Nudging her head between the plastic and the backing. I’m certain that’s we’re her scrape marks came from. She had outgrown her cool side hide and I didn’t realize it. I replaced her hide with a bigger one and removed the backing. Your snake may be trying to push through your lid if it’s a tub with latches. Also if you are concerned with sharp plastic hides. You can always take a lighter and smooth the rough edges.

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Thank you!! I feel much relieved! I guess it might be the hide with small entrance!

Looks to me like some scales are folded &/or scraped by something your snake slid under. Not a big deal...snake's equivalent of a skinned knee. ;)

Looks like it could be a little scratch/rub.

Keep in eye on it and if it gets worse, put some neosporin on it. However, NEVER USE THE NEOSPORIN or any antibacterial cream that has PAINKILLER agent in it. JUST ANTIBIOTICS.

However, I bet that disappears next shed.

Shayna, my albino spider BP had something similar on her head from rubbing or hitting something - maybe the door of her hide when she struck a rat? Two days of neosporin and she was back to normal the next shed.

Good to be cautious and notice these things, but I wouldn't worry too much unless you see it getting worse or see your BP rubbing.

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Originally Posted by dakski

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Keep in eye on it and if it gets worse, put some neosporin on it. However, NEVER USE THE NEOSPORIN or any antibacterial cream that has PAINKILLER agent in it. JUST ANTIBIOTICS...

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Agree except I think you meant to say "antiseptics", not "antibiotics"? And may I suggest using Vetericyn- it's a topical made for snakes...water-based, not petroleum-jelly-based like most ointments for humans, & fyi, if you use too much of them on snakes it can cause their scales to de-laminate, making for terrible sheds.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Agree except I think you meant to say "antiseptics", not "antibiotics"? And may I suggest using Vetericyn- it's a topical made for snakes...water-based, not petroleum-jelly-based like most ointments for humans, & fyi, if you use too much of them on snakes it can cause their scales to de-laminate, making for terrible sheds.

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Thanks Bogertophis. I think you are correct.

Yeah, just stay away from the painkilling stuff.

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Originally Posted by dakski

...Yeah, just stay away from the painkilling stuff.

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I knew what you meant, lol, just don't want to confuse anyone.

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Originally Posted by dakski

Looks like it could be a little scratch/rub.

Keep in eye on it and if it gets worse, put some neosporin on it. However, NEVER USE THE NEOSPORIN or any antibacterial cream that has PAINKILLER agent in it. JUST ANTIBIOTICS.

However, I bet that disappears next shed.

Shayna, my albino spider BP had something similar on her head from rubbing or hitting something - maybe the door of her hide when she struck a rat? Two days of neosporin and she was back to normal the next shed.

Good to be cautious and notice these things, but I wouldn't worry too much unless you see it getting worse or see your BP rubbing.

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Thank you so much!! Yes he also had this before, then disappear after next shed. Then sometimes he got this again so the more I think about it the more I suddenly get worried:P It's so good to confirm that it's just scrach/rub! I'll look for some neosporin! Always learn something here! You guys are the best!

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Agree except I think you meant to say "antiseptics", not "antibiotics"? And may I suggest using Vetericyn- it's a topical made for snakes...water-based, not petroleum-jelly-based like most ointments for humans, & fyi, if you use too much of them on snakes it can cause their scales to de-laminate, making for terrible sheds.

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Thank you so much!! I'll remember Vetericyn! It's so good to know! It's the one with blue bottle right? May I know how much should I use it?

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Originally Posted by alice40604345

Thank you so much!! I'll remember Vetericyn! It's so good to know! It's the one with blue bottle right? May I know how much should I use it?

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Just a very thin smear of it...any more will just be wiped off in cage or on you anyway. Actually, I'm not sure you need to put ANYTHING on this so called "injury" since the skin really is NOT broken...there's no bleeding or raw areas to get infected. But it might be good to have Vetericyn on hand for "if & when" you need it. You can also dab on a little Betadine aka "povidone-iodine" for a snake injury to prevent infection...but again, you really don't need it on these marks. They are more like a broken fingernail...;)

Yes, blue bottle: https://vetericyn.com/product/veteri...and-skin-care/

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

Just a very thin smear of it...any more will just be wiped off in cage or on you anyway. Actually, I'm not sure you need to put ANYTHING on this so called "injury" since the skin really is NOT broken...there's no bleeding or raw areas to get infected. But it might be good to have Vetericyn on hand for "if & when" you need it. You can also dab on a little Betadine aka "povidone-iodine" for a snake injury to prevent infection...but again, you really don't need it on these marks. They are more like a broken fingernail...;)

Yes, blue bottle: https://vetericyn.com/product/veteri...and-skin-care/

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Thank you so much!!:snake::gj: You guys are the best!!!