Under Scale Discoloration.

[Sammysnek]

Hi there!

I've not posted much on the forum, but I'm so glad to see this thread. I am dealing with the same issue in my Super Mojave, and had a heart attack at first.

I don't have pictures because the blotches go in and out, and they are tough to photograph with false lighting at night, but she is often pink and blotchy. She has clean coconut fiber, clean water, just had a perfect shed/poop yesterday, and is feeding. She's active and curious in a tank w/cool side at 80 and a hot spot of 92. So, nothing out of the ordinary, but she scared me into doing tons of research.

What I'm finding from research and asking around is that it's common in lighter snakes. When they press up against their tanks or fiber, they get blotchy/under scale marks from the blood flow. With no color to hide that, it shows more often, like resting on your elbow on a desk for too long. My friend has a pied with the exact same issue, and the snake is perfectly healthy with similar care stats as mine above.

Another concern is that the hide might be too small, forcing the snake to curl up tighter that normal. But you're the judge of that, I'm not sure how large your ball is. I also have a firefly calico, and he has none of these issues at all, so no spreading/doesn't seem to be an illness.

I don't think a vet visit is necessary, but I still have her on watch in case it looks out of the ordinary.

Either way, if I get too concerned and visit the vet, I will let you know! Nice looking ball, though!