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  1. #1
    Registered User Skeptiball's Avatar
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    I Need Help Identifying Scale Discoloration

    I'm brand new to this site and by sheer coincidence I encountered an issue with one of my ball pythons earlier today that I need help identifying. My albino champagne ringer shed yesterday, and today I noticed a few discolored scales on her back, down near her tail. They weren't there before the shed and I'm not sure if it has anything to do with the shed. When I run my fingers over those scales I can feel a slight unevenness as compared to her normal looking scales. She didn't have any real issues with her shed except a small patch just behind her head. Unlike the other two ball pythons I have, she likes to burrow through her substrate (cypress mulch) quite a bit. I'm wondering if these marks are due to her digging - did she just scratch herself, or is this more serious?

    Any insight or help would be greatly appreciated.

    https://imgur.com/iU60nSo
    https://imgur.com/CBffSsc
    https://imgur.com/aobESzv

  2. #2
    BPnet Veteran SDA's Avatar
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    Looks like a minor injury. Best bet is to keep tabs on it and make sure it does not spread, become reddened around the injury, swell, or ooze. I would go so far as just leave it alone and watch it. Snakes heal very slow so as long as it does not spread or do the other things I mentioned it is not part of a bigger problem. If there is minor scabbing then it should heal completely in the next shed or two.

    Just watch for signs of infection. Just like on you, only slower.
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  4. #3
    Registered User Skeptiball's Avatar
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    Re: I Need Help Identifying Scale Discoloration

    Quote Originally Posted by SDA View Post
    Looks like a minor injury. Best bet is to keep tabs on it and make sure it does not spread, become reddened around the injury, swell, or ooze. I would go so far as just leave it alone and watch it. Snakes heal very slow so as long as it does not spread or do the other things I mentioned it is not part of a bigger problem. If there is minor scabbing then it should heal completely in the next shed or two.

    Just watch for signs of infection. Just like on you, only slower.
    Thank you so much for your time and help, SDA.

  5. #4
    BPnet Senior Member Sunnieskys's Avatar
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    What did she scrape herself on? I would check plants, and hides.
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  7. #5
    Registered User Skeptiball's Avatar
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    Re: I Need Help Identifying Scale Discoloration

    Quote Originally Posted by Sunnieskys View Post
    What did she scrape herself on? I would check plants, and hides.
    She has several items in her enclosure that may have scraped her. She has a hide and a branch and her substrate is cypress mulch. She does like to push down into the substrate from time to time. I've never seen the other two balls I have do this. I'm monitoring her scales closely for any signs of infection, etc. I've had her since May of 2017 and this is the first time this has happened.

  8. #6
    BPnet Senior Member tttaylorrr's Avatar
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    Re: I Need Help Identifying Scale Discoloration

    i think some scales got pulled off along with the shed. it can happen due to a drop in humidity right before they shed out.

    my oldest male had a similar-looking injury a year or so ago. it only affected one scale but it appeared right after a shed.



    Last edited by tttaylorrr; 01-21-2018 at 11:27 AM.
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  9. #7
    Registered User Skeptiball's Avatar
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    Re: I Need Help Identifying Scale Discoloration

    Quote Originally Posted by tttaylorrr View Post
    i think some scales got pulled off along with the shed. it can happen due to a drop in humidity right before they shed out.

    my oldest male had a similar-looking injury a year or so ago. it only affected one scale but it appeared right after a shed.



    I believe that is what happen to my snake as well. I just checked her again about 15 minutes ago and she seems fine. No sign of infection and no further damage/discoloration.

    Thanks for your help and time, tttaylorrr.

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