Scale rot versus damage scales

[Ziggy31984]

I noticed this on his belly when we went for a brief walk. I am concerned it is the scale rot could use a second opinion.


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[Homebody]

I vote not scale rot. Scale rot develops when your snake is exposed for an extended period to substrate that is both filthy and wet. If your substrate isn't filthy and wet, you've got nothing to worry about. If it is, change it, before you do.

[Ziggy31984]

I spot clean when needed and I watch the humidity like a hawk I am still trying to figure out how to get it to 80% with out making it 85% or more unintentionally


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[Bogertophis]

I spot clean when needed and I watch the humidity like a hawk I am still trying to figure out how to get it to 80% with out making it 85% or more unintentionally


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80% is too high- you want 55-65% unless snake is in shed, then you want 70-75%. Offer a humid hide too, if you want, to give options, but 80+ is pretty soggy, especially in the whole enclosure.

[Ziggy31984]

He’s in this type of enclosure the first shead he had in this was in many peace when moved in about a year or so dose that apply as well with the number you gave?


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[nikkubus]

I would double check your hygrometer. Maintaining 80% in that style of enclosure unless you live somewhere super humid sounds impossible. Also how long have you had him? Having a single bad shed may mean nothing, since transport or prior care could effect things. If the hygrometer is sitting right on the substrate it's also going to read a lot higher than a few inches up since it's basically sitting on something damp.

[Ziggy31984]

I live in Prescott Valley az and had him about 3 years he was in a glass one


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[Bogertophis]

When a snake sheds in many pieces, the reason may be* because they were fed while in "blue"- was he? (*there can be other reasons too) I avoid feeding snakes in shed- & remember, they don't eat while blue in the wild either. There's no "room service" and even if there was, snakes often instinctively refuse to eat anyway.

Both shedding & digestion uses extra water from the snake's body to accomplish- and doing both at the same time is sometimes more than a snake can do without one or the other function suffering. A snake that is too dehydrated to digest may barf up their meal, but more likely, the snake will keep down their meal & instead, the shed will end up in a zillion pieces, & gets stuck, because normally a snake's body secretes moisture between the old & new shed to help it come off easily, but if they're digesting too, their shed may get short-changed- there's only so much water in a snake's body that's available. See?

The humidity in their enclosure only helps so much- what's in their body is very important, which is why they need some humidity most of the time- but too much will promote skin diseases, since even if you spot clean there are germs, and bacteria thrive in the warm + humid environment.

[Ziggy31984]

Ok
I don’t feed him when he is shedding and I hardly see him drink water he has a dish big enough for him to soak in if he chooses to


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[Homebody]

I spot clean when needed and I watch the humidity like a hawk I am still trying to figure out how to get it to 80% with out making it 85% or more unintentionally

Spot cleaning is good, but you still need to swap out the substrate on a regular basis. I would think that with an adult BP in a 4 x 2 enclosure and what looks like an inch of loose substrate that you should swap it monthly. Infrequent substrate changes will allow bacteria to build up in your enclosure and combined with wet substrate can lead to scale rot.

As for wet substrate, frankly, I can't imagine how you would get humidity that high in Arizona in a 4 x 2 x 2 with an open screen top without having substrate that's too wet. So, if I was you, I would cover that screen top and add a humid hide. That should allow you to keep your substrate drier while still maintaining healthy humidity.