If you're not seeing mucus I would check your humidity level. If he's near shed and the humidity is very high he may feel a bit slimy to the touch. It's happened to me before when I accidentally bumped the humidity to 90 the night before her shed and when I moved her to get it lowered back down she was definately slimy! Perfect shed though.

As for the brown scales, I agree with rabernet that it looks like scale rot. If you don't notice mucous or any signs of an RI I would at least treat with an antibacterial cream that doesn't have pain relievers in it.

To identify an RI check out number 8 here: http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=31102