Reptile & Amphibian Forums

...1 of 20 of the 3 1/2 week old baby BRB's has what I describe as ventral scales at mid-body that are cleft. You know how you can see where their umbilical cord attaches to the body even after a few sheds? It's similar to that with the exceptions of the midline not properly aligned and is 4 cm long. By my best guess it would take a year of shed cycles to smooth it out if it is possible. Almost like there is a mid-line. The movement seems completely unharmed, it acts normal in all other ways. Had 3 meals and shed twice. Anyone had this before? Should've known about this sooner...too busy looking at markings and color?

Guess what? It's official, I am moving all my snake stuff to one room! It will be nicer than I imagine to get them out of the front room of the house although it's pretty calm in that location. My dream would include a commercial size raised wash basin.

Linda
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When the student is ready, the teacher appears. When the student is ready, the teacher appears. When the student is ready, the teacher appears. When the student is ready, the teachers appears.

Linda,
....They are occasionally born with openings in the belly further forward than the umbilical. My guess is that what you have is a snake that had an opening that closed before it was born but with the ventral scales not lined up because the snake was tightly curled inside the membrane. When they are born with these openings they heal up amazingly well. Onto some related rambling...... Out of every couple hundred baby snakes there is usually one or two that have unbelievably large umbilical openings. These openings are so large that you just know the snake will bleed out or get an infection and die but they always seem to close and heal with no problems. These animals are amazing.
Jeff

>>...1 of 20 of the 3 1/2 week old baby BRB's has what I describe as ventral scales at mid-body that are cleft. You know how you can see where their umbilical cord attaches to the body even after a few sheds? It's similar to that with the exceptions of the midline not properly aligned and is 4 cm long. By my best guess it would take a year of shed cycles to smooth it out if it is possible. Almost like there is a mid-line. The movement seems completely unharmed, it acts normal in all other ways. Had 3 meals and shed twice. Anyone had this before? Should've known about this sooner...too busy looking at markings and color?
>>
>>Guess what? It's official, I am moving all my snake stuff to one room! It will be nicer than I imagine to get them out of the front room of the house although it's pretty calm in that location. My dream would include a commercial size raised wash basin.
>>
>>Linda
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>> When the student is ready, the teacher appears. When the student is ready, the teacher appears. When the student is ready, the teacher appears. When the student is ready, the teachers appears.

I guess I'll be keeping one afterall. Kinda scared me when I found it.

Linda