Head Scar Mexican Black Kingsnake

[Gravity]

Hi,

I’ve had my female Mexican Black Kingsnake since she was 3 months old. She’s now 11 months old. She has a scar on her head, as seen in the picture, which she had since I first got her. Scars usually heal over time, but this appears to be a mark she may have hatched with. I haven’t seen pictures of other snakes with similar scars, but read some snakes hatch with a mark in the middle of the head. Is this a common occurrence? She is healthy and doing well, and the scar is small. It has remained unchanged over the past 9 months which makes me think it could be a birthmark of some kind. I’d like to hear your input.

Thanks.

[Bogertophis]

I've never seen a snake with a mark like that- including the MBKs I used to have. I don't think it's a very common occurrence but I wouldn't worry about it. Could very well be a genetic thing passed along.

[Gravity]

I haven’t seen a similar mark on a snake either. I went through pics of MBKs on instagram and forums. Given that it has remained unchanged over the past 9 months, I think it’s a birthmark. Couldn’t find much information online, so it’s likely uncommon. I will breed her in a year or two to verify if it is genetic. It doesn’t feel like a scar. I think it may be a paradox mark.

[Bogertophis]

It's deep enough that if it was an early injury, I think it still would have been healing when you got her at age 3 months- it would have been obvious.

Of course, if she turns out to be one of those snakes that does goofy & comical things, you can always tell people that's her lobotomy scar.

[Gravity]

Haha! She did do a comical shed once. Slithered into the shed skin’s head while halfway through the process. Couldn’t get out, panicked and ruptured a hole through the shed to poke her head out.

[Bogertophis]

Haha! She did do a comical shed once. Slithered into the shed skin’s head while halfway through the process. Couldn’t get out, panicked and ruptured a hole through the shed to poke her head out.

I had a daffy Cal king years ago that got almost all the way into her shed skin & I finally had to rescue her- I was afraid she couldn't breathe well enough, & clearly she wasn't getting out on her own. Sheds are so easily torn when you have hands & fingers to poke thru...but very awkward & much tougher for those that don't.

[Mistery510]

It have been a year, is the mark still there??!!