who has seen this before

[StillBP]

I took in a few snakes from a friend who was going through a rather rough spot about mid last year. They are still his I'm just helping him out. Friday his spider shed and when he did his back got white. I have before and after pics(please mind they are cel pics) which show the difference. I might add the snake is going on 7 years old

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[303_enfield]

I like the "new" skin better. I hope she keeps it. Did you ask your friend if she has done this before? I've had snakes get lighter or loose color but never like that.

Good luck!

[Bogertophis]

I can vaguely recall some saying they've had BPs that lighten up like this, but I'm not a BP breeder so I don't recall more than that...I do think it's genetic, even though I
fought off the temptation to tell you that what you have is a "rare bald python". Might ask Deborah aka Stewart_Reptiles (moderator), she breeds BPs & likely knows. It does make for an interesting look for those who enjoy pieds etc.

[Lord Sorril]

I haven't seen patterning like this in a normal situation.

I have seen dorsal scale damage turning the scales white from a ball python attempting to force a lid off a plastic bin (the snake tries to force the cage open and the edge of the lid flexes and creates a small gap that pinches the back). In the case of some cheap bins with molded plastic indents for handles-the damage can be extensive.

I have also seen 'rescue' snakes with dorsal white scales from healed up rodent damage.

[AbsoluteApril]

It's been seen here and there but generally not common. So long as it wasn't due to an external issue (coming into contact with a chemical or something) or possibly septacaemia (probably not in this case) it's nothing to worry about. If you notice any behavior issues or lethargy, then I'd recommend a vet visit just to be safe.
There have been some cases of this in boas that were fed bad fatty rats and their feces causes the scale discoloration and loss of color so I wanted to point that out as well but I haven't seen cases of that in 10 years now.
In BPs it always seems to be the slightly older ones. It may go right back to normal after another shed or two or stay like this for the rest of it's life.

[Bogertophis]

I haven't seen patterning like this in a normal situation.

I have seen dorsal scale damage turning the scales white from a ball python attempting to force a lid off a plastic bin (the snake tries to force the cage open and the edge of the lid flexes and creates a small gap that pinches the back). In the case of some cheap bins with molded plastic indents for handles-the damage can be extensive.

I have also seen 'rescue' snakes with dorsal white scales from healed up rodent damage.

I've seen that as well, but in that case, the injury would be obvious. This just appears to have bleached out...?

[StillBP]

I've seen that as well, but in that case, the injury would be obvious. This just appears to have bleached out...?

yea no injury it simply shed and was white. I've heard of a few doing this but never seen it in person

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[Bogertophis]

Well, I hope you keep us posted, like after future sheds, if you see even more whitening?

[StillBP]

Well, I hope you keep us posted, like after future sheds, if you see even more whitening?

I will as long as I have him. he belongs to a friend who's working on getting back on his feet

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[StillBP]

I like the "new" skin better. I hope she keeps it. Did you ask your friend if she has done this before? I've had snakes get lighter or loose color but never like that.

Good luck!

Yea he never heard of anything like this. As I said I've heard of it but never seen in person. Kinda shocked me

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