Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I noticed that some of the scales on the sides torwards the bottom of my ball point out. They are not layered flat against the other ones. This is the first time i have noticed it being so aparent. Every now and then i did notice when i was handling him htat some of his scales seemd to be not as tight fitting as the rest and i could feel the ends kinda poke me.
Any advice? Is this normal? If he has mites can you see them with the naked eye? I figured mites at first but i looked at him closely and could not see any!
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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's

Well, if the scales have a brownish, or off-color look to them, it could be a touch of scale rot (which you can cure with a few daily applications of an anti-virulent solution).

From what you describe though, it might jsut be a few bent or creased scales. When I was raising my most recent ball python she would coil up and always bend at the same points (especailly if she just ate) - after a while the scales in those areas got a slight bend to them and would poke out a bit. I gave her a bigger 'house' and the problem vanished after a few sheds.

Or maybe she just has a loose scale or two from her last shed that never flaked off.

Hope I could help.

Jon

Also - if your snake has mites, you will definetly be able to see them. Take your snake out and look at it under a light, mites look about the same size as fleas and are pretty obvious if they are there. But I don't think mites would make your snakes scales poke out

Jon

Yea jon its definitly not mites. Thanks for the descripton of them. I did look at her under light today very carefully and really close and didnt see any lil nasty annoying creatures!! lol

Thanks for the reply!
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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's

Yea that makes sense! She has a large hide on the warm side and a stupid log hide on the cool. Im going to get another round hide for her to replace the log but she loves that log for some reason. It is getting a tad bit small for her so Im guessin thats what is causing the bent scales!
As far as scale rot, i dont think that is even possible this soon. lol Her previous owner was not controling the humidity at all and I have only had her for a week and a half now and i have kept her humidity levels around 45 to 60%. Its hard to maintain humidity as i live in colorado.
Thanks for the advice! Seemed like such a simple answer! lol
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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's

She has a large hide on the warm side and a stupid log hide on the cool. Im going to get another round hide for her to replace the log but she loves that log for some reason. It is getting a tad bit small for her so Im guessin thats what is causing the bent scales!

Generally, they like small hides. They like hides that seem too small for them. If she loves the log hide, I'd lean against taking it away from her. Instead, I'd recommend adding another hide. If the log hide really isn't right for her, then another hide might be just the trick. If she doesn't like the new hide as much, then you haven't taken away her most secure location.

Again, I'll put two disclaimers on this advice. First, I'm not very experienced, so I'm giving advice based on a little personal experience and a bit of listening to things here on the bp forums. Secondly, I'm something of a hide fanatic. My girl's cage has four official hides of three different types and a low, fake plant that sometimes functions as a hide. I've used one or two other kinds of hides in her cage before but removed them because she didn't like them. In any situation, one of my first responses is to offer another hide.

Bill
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It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

From what i have read of your advice you are qualified in my eyes to give anyone advice! lol Right now there are 2 hides in the enclosure, she/he has a dog bowl on the warm side and the log on the cool side. I do know that they prefer to be in as tight a place as possible and seeings how the log is a lil tighter then the upside down bowl i understand why she likes it. That is one of the reasons i have not taken it out. Before I got her that was the only hide she had so atleast she gets to choose which end shes wants to be on and feel safe about her choice. I do think however it is going to be time to move up a size tho as the scale thing kinda freaked me out today. lol
THanks for the advice and if i could add it was good advice IMO!

Thanks all!
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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's

Sometimes they can have rough scales when they are nearing shed - or if they are dehydrated.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

6.34.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi)
0.1.0 Bredls Python (Smurfette)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.0 frogs rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.1 Lizards of unknown origin

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Edited on May 3, 2006 at 17:06:49 by phwyvern.

Better not be dehydrated! lol I have been working my rear off to keep humidity and everything just right!!
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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's

about how often will they shed? The evening i picked her up there was a complete shed in her tank so its only been about 2 to 3 weeks im guessing. I figured like once a month as there growing or could it be more often then that?
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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's

If she is still small (I forget how big she is sorry) then it's possible that she could be ready to go again - Once a month is usual, but I've seen some little ones shed ever couple of weeks.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

6.34.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi)
0.1.0 Bredls Python (Smurfette)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.0 frogs rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.1 Lizards of unknown origin

_____

signature area

Edited on May 3, 2006 at 17:07:05 by phwyvern.

at when it shed last then I'm guessing that you aren't keeping records. It's a good idea to keep some kind of log on your snakes, then you can refer back and know exactly when they last shed, defecated, ate, etc. It's also good to have if there is any kind of odd behavior, you can go back thru your records and see right off if it's a yearly thing or had to do with,say, moving to a larger cage or other change.

Cheryl

Cheryl,
Yes i do keep a log on my python, our two leo's and also our beardie. They are filled out everyday in fact.
Maybe you didnt understand when i said in my previous post "when i picked her up" meaning the night that i aquired her from her previous owner. I understand that my statement wasnt very clear and it sounded like when i picked her up to handle her.
Anywho yea I keep detailed logs on all our reptiles! Good looking out tho and very good advice for those who read this thread!
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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's