Please Read! Question about my Fire.

[Rat160]

So I checked on my male fire today and noticed he had some stuck shed. So as I always do I soaked him and let him run through my hands allowing the skin to come loose. However I noticed that he had some pink spots along his back and sides. I also noticed that all his black areas where there was normal blushing is WAY blushed. His scales are also rough to the touch and have a almost "frosted" look to them. I know snakes can get lighter as they shed but this is extreme. I also noticed on his lower sides there appears to be way more "granite" speckles. He almost looks like a different snake.

Keep in mind he has always been perfectly healthy and is currently mite free. I did notice however that he hasn't eaten in a couple weeks. Anyway I can try to get a picture up but the only camera I have is my phone and its tough to get detail on.

Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Kymberli]

Pictures would be great. To my understanding of the Fire morph, their known for their blushing getting much lighter with each shed. Many different morphs go through dramatic changes with each shed, but someone may shed more light on this for me. As for the pink spots, he may have lost a few scales during the shedding process. It would be easier to identify that being the culprit if you are able to look at the pieces of stuck shed that were removed to see if you notice darker spots on them, those being the scales that were pulled off.

[Rat160]

Pictures would be great. To my understanding of the Fire morph, their known for their blushing getting much lighter with each shed. Many different morphs go through dramatic changes with each shed, but someone may shed more light on this for me. As for the pink spots, he may have lost a few scales during the shedding process. It would be easier to identify that being the culprit if you are able to look at the pieces of stuck shed that were removed to see if you notice darker spots on them, those being the scales that were pulled off.

I didn't notice any scales that came off. I know they do get lighter but its weird I mean this is pretty extreme. With each shed he does get lighter but like I said nothing like this. The black spots got pretty much white. Ill see what I can do right now about getting some pictures up but please excuse the quality as my phone isn't the best at close ups.

[Rat160]

Before this he looked really healthy and nice and smooth. Now hes rough and if you look at the individual scale its not smooth is looks kinda like when a grape shrivels.

[Kymberli]

Hmm, that does not look good to me at all. I'm no expert and clearly not a vet (yet) so I do not want to throw out any possible issues until others have taken a look at those pictures. I would definitely bump up his humidity to around 65-70% right now since he just went through a bad shed and his scales appear shriveled, he is probably dehydrated. Be sure his substrate is clean and dry while the humidity is satisfactory.

It is fairly late right now, so you probably won't get the best responses until tomorrow when more people sign on. Hopefully someone can give you come clarification here, I'm sorry I could not assist more!

[MarkieJ]

Looks like you didn't get all of the skin off during this incomplete shed. When I used to soak my snakes because of a bad shed, I let them soak in a tub of 80-90 degree F water for about 30 minutes before removing the old skin. It's pretty rare that I get a bad shed now but when I do, I simply just tip some of the water out of their bowl so their newspaper substrate is dampened, and let the snakes work it off on their own (Note, I keep my snakes in a rack). This usually leaves them squeaky clean by morning.

[Rat160]

Looks like you didn't get all of the skin off during this incomplete shed. When I used to soak my snakes because of a bad shed, I let them soak in a tub of 80-90 degree F water for about 30 minutes before removing the old skin. It's pretty rare that I get a bad shed now but when I do, I simply just tip some of the water out of their bowl so their newspaper substrate is dampened, and let the snakes work it off on their own (Note, I keep my snakes in a rack). This usually leaves them squeaky clean by morning.

That's what I did I have a rack also. After a few days I soaked him in another tub full of water and gently let him use my hands to shed. I've done it before with no problems. This is the first time I've seen this. So if it is due to the bad shed any recommendations on how to help him. I really don't want him to scar. Thanks for all the input.

[rabernet]

The top, where the scales are dull and not shiney like the ones surrounding them is just the shed taking the top layer of the new scales with it - and it will go away in the next shed. It happens from time to time, and it doesn't mean it was a bad shed. Nothing bad will happen to your snake. Most of us who have kept any number of these guys have seen this happen from time to time.

The sides where it's red is a bit more concerning, and that looks like some sort of irritant has caused that. You need to figure out what that irritant is (the bedding too moist, the heat too high, etc).

[darkbloodwyvern]

Gorgeous fire. Sometimes my guys/gals will get a few scales or patches like that. i agree with Robin, it seems like the pink belly would be my first concern. The wrinkly scales will probably go away on their own. Has he been sitting on damp substrate? My male will poop INSIDE his little two part hide and then stew in his own poop occasionally. It's super gross, but if i don't lift off the top and look inside the bottom half, I might not notice it, thinking that one of the other must have pooped... They can do some weird things that you wouldn't expect! But if it is on his back and not his belly, I would expect the problem is coming from above, rather than below. What's the setup like?

[Rat160]

Gorgeous fire. Sometimes my guys/gals will get a few scales or patches like that. i agree with Robin, it seems like the pink belly would be my first concern. The wrinkly scales will probably go away on their own. Has he been sitting on damp substrate? My male will poop INSIDE his little two part hide and then stew in his own poop occasionally. It's super gross, but if i don't lift off the top and look inside the bottom half, I might not notice it, thinking that one of the other must have pooped... They can do some weird things that you wouldn't expect! But if it is on his back and not his belly, I would expect the problem is coming from above, rather than below. What's the setup like?

Hes in a rack system that has bottom heat tape controlled by a herpstat currently set at 89. Hes on paper towels right now that I occasionally mist for humidity. I've never had this problem before and I've herped for years so that's why I was concerned. I noticed that on the pink areas the scales appeared to be lifted a bit so I'm assuming is irritated from the shed being removed?