Weird "scale" on Jonny T.'s head?

[Raunchyfad]

Hey fellas. My ball python has this large, translucent "scale" growing out of her head. I'm making the assumption that it's a scale since when she shed it changed color, but I'd like to know if it's something I should be worried about or not.

Here's a picture to see if you guys can help me with this one.

[dr del]

Hi,

That actually looks like a tick.


dr del

[Raunchyfad]

That thought came to me, but it's been there for a couple of weeks now. If it is a tick, what would be a good way to remove it without the head getting stuck in?

[Prophet]

That thought came to me, but it's been there for a couple of weeks now. If it is a tick, what would be a good way to remove it without the head getting stuck in?

With dogs, i would dab nail polish on it so it couldn't breath or you can light a match and blow it out then touch it to the tick immediately after extinguishing.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Ticks leaving their head behind is actually quite uncommon--grasp the tick firmly with tweezers and pull it out gently but steadily. There may be some cementum left behind, a substance the ticks secrete that is often mistaken for the tick's mouthparts being left in. Dab it with betadine afterward. Other methods of removal such as burning can increase the risk of infection.

[Raunchyfad]

I don't have any betadine in my medicine cabinet, but I do have hydrogen peroxide.

Would this be appropriate to use, or should I make a trip to the drugstore?

[eclipsesmommy]

i dont think its a tick.
why would a tick want cold blood? or lock on where theres skull not juicy meaat? thats my reasoning.
is the scale hard like the rest of the head scales?
color changes could possibly happen if your ball is young. ive seen white spots but never gray like that. it could be something else im just saying make sure its a tick for sure before you try to pluck it off it could be something else. maybe use a magnifying glass?

[dr del]

Hi,

You get ticks which feed on lots of different species - they are mostly found on wild caught or imported snakes however.

They don't eat meat either - they suck blood.

Here is a page with some info.

It's not just the colour that makes me think it is a tick - it is also the fact it is about 5 times the size of all the surrounding scales but has its head buried up under one.

I agree a better pic might help answer it definitively though.


dr del

[Raunchyfad]

i dont think its a tick.
why would a tick want cold blood? or lock on where theres skull not juicy meaat? thats my reasoning.
is the scale hard like the rest of the head scales?

Whatever it is, it's definitely not squishy. It's not exactly bulbous, either, but kind of flat. Though anchored in one place, it moves around easily, and it can be lifted and stuff. I've seen no evidence of legs, but I think I'll just have to look harder if that's the case.

Also dr del, thanks for the page. I'm sure there's some rubbing alcohol in here, somewhere.

I'll try and get a better picture tomorrow, and hopefully a better diagnosis.

It sure is frustrating when you can find lots of pictures of the tick itself on the internet, but no picture of the tick inside the snake.

[dr del]

Hi,

Trying to find some pics for you;

Ticks in eye socket.


Tick that left mum to wait for the hatchlings to come out.


Sadly all the other threads have had the pics removed.

They do however mention various ways of getting it off and recommend Provent-a-mite to kill any eggs it may have laid.


dr del