Please Help Identify Ball Python Wound

[SteveDLS]

Hello All,

I just got a Bumble Bee from Craigslist and I can not get a hold of the person I got it from. After getting home and inspecting him, I noticed a wound. To me it looks like a rock burn or some other type of burn. However, I am inexperienced in these matters. I also first thought is was a fresh wound because it looks pinkish but it also looks like it could be an old would. Can anyone please help me identify this wound and determine whether or not it is fresh or not? Thanks again for the help.

[dr del]

It does look like an old, healed, burn.

it looks like a gorgeous animal anyway.

[SteveDLS]

Thanks for the input Derek and we agree that he is gorgeous, Thanks again.

[rabernet]

Agree with Derek. The other thing that comes to mind is that they had tape inside the enclosure, and it got stuck and it ripped off the scales and left a wound as well.

Congratulations on your new baby!

[le miow]

Agreeing with the others on this, but just had to say I'm so jealous! What a beauty, congratulations on your new snake ^.^

[SteveDLS]

Thanks rabernet and le miow, I appreciate the help.

[Pythonfriend]

very old scar, many sheds have happened since then.

the way some of the scales are partially gone makes it look as if it was a burn, but it could have been any kind of surface wound.

[Freakie_frog]

Weird! the few scars that I have seen turn dark/black. It looks like a scar but then again not. I'm almost thinking that it is something that the animal has had since birth the shape and texture of the scale around the area are what's throwing me off. Yea I'm going to say congenital birth defect.

[SteveDLS]

Thanks pythonfriend and freakie_frog; however, I hope it is not a birth defect since I was planning on breeding him

[Pythonfriend]

Weird! the few scars that I have seen turn dark/black. It looks like a scar but then again not. I'm almost thinking that it is something that the animal has had since birth the shape and texture of the scale around the area are what's throwing me off. Yea I'm going to say congenital birth defect.

if it heals properly and the skin either regenerates, or grows over it from all sides, it should blend in with the surrounding colors, or if anything, be lighter colored or pink. i see nothing strange about this scar. in a burn, some scales can be partially destroyed and then regenerate partially. the pink area in the very center is also a clue, that must have been the center of the wound.

i dont see how it could be a birth defect, that seems unlikely. very old scars that have properly healed and that dont even cause shedding problems anymore look just like that.