Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was inspecting a friend's snake today and noticed these damaged scales (pictured below, sorry for the quality, I was holding the snake in one hand and the camera in the other). Any ideas how the scales turned out like this? I'd like to prevent this from happening in my own snakes, if possible. Thanks!

Does your friend have any types of tubes in the snakes enclosures? I use paper towel or wrapping paper tubes in my snakes vivs and I find their scales get that "bent" look seen in the second and other photos. It is not something I would be concerned about.

In some of the other photos some of the scales look more crushed or torn. I am not sure what that is due to.

Joanna

The snake is housed on bark, and is coiled up under one of those half logs most of the time.

Hmmm - Maybe someone else has some input.

My snakes with the bent looking scales are fine. I'm not sure what to make of the other funny looking scales on your friends snake.

Joanna

I have seen both types of damage in captive snakes - 'Bent' scales and the wound-type.
I imagine they occur differently.
moisture and humidity in the enclosure can adversely affect scales. If it's too wet, some scale rot can occur and when it heals it looks much like the wound-type damage.
If there's a lack of moisture, or if the snake does not soak itself properly, the resulting shed can end in some of the 'bent' scales look.
Look for proper husbandry - occasional misting, esp. when the snake is nearing a shed, clean water in a bowl large enough for the animal to soak, quick cage cleaning if it gets too wet, etc.

The damage can also be self-inflicted by pushing against sharp edges, or the screen mesh of the cage-top, bite wounds, etc.
JMO,
Jack
-----
...and I think to myself, "What a wonderful world."

NOT AN EXPERT - NO FLAMES PLEASE

I just bought my first adult cornsnake (5 years old) and took him into a herp vet for a check up.

My snake also has the exact same scale issues as depicted in the photos of the original post. The vet said that this is normal wear and tear for a cornsnake and that much of it will disappear after a few sheds.

He said that it is not necessarily indicative of improper husbandry, but that it's just what happens to a snake in their day to day lives.

Just my .02 cents...