Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i noticed these small "wrinkle" type things on my albino female's sides...some of the scalse seem like they are messed up...is it normal? what the heck is it?

to my knowledge she has never had mites or any health problems...i've had her for about 7 months now...she eats fine, goes to the bathroom, etc...

(this is the same one with the underbite)

also, i noticed some scale discoloration...i guess it could be dried blood from her f/t small rat...

she's kept in a vision cage model 400 i think (the one that is 4'x2x2' roughly...

with newspaper, those cut out log hides from PETCO, and a plastic water bowl....

i just want to know if it is normal or if it is an indication that something is wrong (she is in shed in the pics)

-----
0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
0.1.0 Albino Columbian Boa
1.0.0 Carpet Python
0.0.1 Red Albino Cornsnake
0.0.1 Aberrant California Kingsnake
1.0.0 Greek Tortoise
1.0.0 Normal Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 ?????? Leopard Gecko
1.0.0 Leopard Toad
2.2.0 Dogs
1.1.0 Cats
1.0.0 Rabbit
1.0.0 Gerbil
....................................

Shed Your Fears!
http://www.freewebs.com/ShedYourFears

I can't tell you what causes the creased scales but I can tell you it's a pretty common thing among boas in captivity.. I've heard a few reasons, dehydration, cramped quarters, etc... I have never heard any harm coming from these creased scales. As for the darkened scales, could it be newspaper ink? See if it's still around after the shed.

thanks for the post...

thats what i thought (newspaper ink)...i just noticed it this morning, so i didn't worry too much about it...

those scales have been that way since i got her...i don't think it's from being in a cramped space...shes only maybe 3ft, and she's in a 4' x 2' x 2' vision cage with plenty of space...

dehydration could be possible, although she has a full, clean water bowl at all times... i always put their bowls/ hides/ etc in the same place so they know where to find them...

i was just worried that the scale creases were a result of something i could prevent/fix...as long as she is healthy & happy, i am content...im not all that concerned about the aesthetics, they are hardly noticeable.

thanks!
jessica

-----
0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
0.1.0 Albino Columbian Boa
1.0.0 Carpet Python
0.0.1 Red Albino Cornsnake
0.0.1 Aberrant California Kingsnake
1.0.0 Greek Tortoise
1.0.0 Normal Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 ?????? Leopard Gecko
1.0.0 Leopard Toad
2.2.0 Dogs
1.1.0 Cats
1.0.0 Rabbit
1.0.0 Gerbil
....................................

Shed Your Fears!
http://www.freewebs.com/ShedYourFears

That's a beautiful lil girl you've got there. I especially like the abberant lateral striping.

thank you very much

she is quite pretty, she's got the "circle back" thing goin-on

she has an underbite, so i havent decided whether or not to breed her, but considering she is only about a year to a year & a half old...i've got time to think about it...

some forum members suggested i breed her once to see if the underbite is genetic or not...and if it is, just don't breed her again...

i've also been told that some underbites go away with age...so i guess we will see in the next few years...

she is putting on excellent size and weight...i think she would be a perfectly sized girl for breeding...but time will tell...

thanks
jessica
-----
0.1.0 Hogg Island Boa
0.1.0 Albino Columbian Boa
1.0.0 Carpet Python
0.0.1 Red Albino Cornsnake
0.0.1 Aberrant California Kingsnake
1.0.0 Greek Tortoise
1.0.0 Normal Leopard Gecko
0.0.1 ?????? Leopard Gecko
1.0.0 Leopard Toad
2.2.0 Dogs
1.1.0 Cats
1.0.0 Rabbit
1.0.0 Gerbil
....................................

Shed Your Fears!
http://www.freewebs.com/ShedYourFears

It is on all my boas too. I believe it is from being folded in the sack. When boas are in the womb in the sack they are somewhat folded in places, and I think that's where they get these folded scales from. You'll notice they don't have them everywhere just in spots where they were tightly folded, the rest of the boa was wrapped more loosely. Try to put something long and cylindrical in a sphere, and you'll get what I am saying.
-----
Caden Chapman
slithering.serpents@gmail.com
http://slitheringserpents.com