Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have noticed the last two sheds my ball is starting to get a white stripe down his back has anyone seen this and is it a problem?

I've seen that a time or two usually it's a scaring of the scales either from an escape (squeezing out of the cage) or from a really bad shed. Based on that photo I couldn't say for certain that is the case - but it does looks like it.
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Tosha
JET Pythons

agree with Tosha........looks like scarring from the snake trying to escape. What kind of enclosure is it in? Is there anything in the cage like a hidespot thats really rough or anything else abrasive?
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Jon F

Hi Stinky,....(good reason to sign a name)...Anyway, Look at the scales on the back If it is indeed scaring or abrassive action from rubbing you should see damaged scales in those area MAYBE even missing scales...IF not and the animal is eating well and acting like a BP should then just observe the animal....If the sheds are intact and no additional damage is being done and it continues to grow more in area then it could be something more interesting. It could be a form of ontogenic change. As I recall this occurs in the IMG Morph. (increased melanin gene) See Ralph davis's website for a better definition of this trait. I have a female orange ghost that is developing lavender spots down her back, increasing with every shed in fact. Cannot wait to see what happens when she grows up!!................ The big thing is OBSERVATION Healthy? Feeding? if so do not get too excited.............God Bless, Lee van Hyfte