Substrate or injury?

[Ashleigh91]

Hey guys.. it's been two weeks with the noodle, time for my first paranoid snake mom post!

So Talion ate Thursday, it was his second meal with me. He's looked very dull and wrinkly the last two times I've seen him, but I didn't catch him in blue.

Anyways, I peeked in on him to see if he was in blue today, and I noticed eco earth all over the front of his mouth. He also looks brighter so I think he's in the clear stage before he sheds. I let him go through a damp cloth a few times, and dabbed it a little with a wet q-tip. A couple particles came off, but then I noticed that there's a raised, weird looking area right on the front of his face. Not sure how well the pictures capture it but I hope you can see what I mean.

Now I don't see anything he could have scraped himself on in the tub.. any edges that have been cut have been gone over with a lighter to smooth them down, no tape or anything of the sort on or in the tub.

It almost looks like the shed has started to separate a little on his nose, and substrate got under it??? Is this possible? Does it look like an injury to you more experienced people?

Also, if it is just stuck substrate, I can't really get it away from his lips.... should I switch him to another substrate? I run a CHE for my heat, so I'm using the eco earth because I heard it was best for humidity.

Ughhh.. help please? I'm anxious about my noodle

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[Starscream]

It looks to me like he's trying to start shedding. That might be why he's got some substrate on his mouth -- he probably tried rubbing on it to start shedding. Of course, I haven't really witnessed Maze shedding, either, but that wrinkled skin right in front of the nose makes me think that's what's up.

I wouldn't be surprised if you found a balled up shed in his enclosure tomorrow, but that's just my two-cents .

EDIT: And the substrate won't hurt him. You got this.

[tttaylorrr]

the skin has probably started to come loose for the next shed. if you see something on the face after the shed then i'd be worried.

[OneEyedFox]

Yeah, looks like he's just starting to shed, no cause for concern unless it's still there after he's done shedding. Interesting name btw. Is it pronounced "Tall-ian"? That was my dad's name, though it was spelled Talian, it looks like it could have the same pronunciation though so I was curious.


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[oodaT]

Probably getting ready to shed, he's probably been digging his face into his substrate to brake the skin loose. Short video attached to show mine doing it.

https://youtu.be/kfk7WJ-MRnw

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[SDA]

He does have some scales on the tip of his head that look different. Not sure at all if that is something he always had, because he is in shed, or other characteristic but it makes the substrate sort of stand out. Those wrinkly scales up front could be from starting to scratch to get a shed going. I would think tail end of a shed cycle?

Has it worked its way out since you posted the pics?

[Ashleigh91]

Thanks for reassuring me guys. I was pretty sure it was just a shed, I'll keep an eye on him.

He does have some scales on the tip of his head that look different. Not sure at all if that is something he always had, because he is in shed, or other characteristic but it makes the substrate sort of stand out. Those wrinkly scales up front could be from starting to scratch to get a shed going. I would think tail end of a shed cycle?

Has it worked its way out since you posted the pics?

Pictures were from last night, as of today he hasn't shed yet. Still looks very dark though. Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Yeah, looks like he's just starting to shed, no cause for concern unless it's still there after he's done shedding. Interesting name btw. Is it pronounced "Tall-ian"? That was my dad's name, though it was spelled Talian, it looks like it could have the same pronunciation though so I was curious.


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Thanks! It's actually from a video game that my boyfriend was playing lol. Was stuck for a name and I like how it sounded. Pronounced Tal - ian. Pretty close


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[Ashleigh91]

He shed this morning the bubble is gone. Still some substrate in his lips, but he doesn't seem distressed at all so... just going to see if it works itself out. Might also look into coco chips instead of the eco earth.

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[oodaT]

Reptile Prime

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[Ashleigh91]

Reptile Prime

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Is it available in Canada?

I'm in the land of high prices and low availability for all things reptiles!