Reptile & Amphibian Forums

one of my boas has developed a lump on the top of her head just behind her nostrils. any idea what it could be from?

Without a close up picture this is impossible to give an informed diagnosis, however, with what you describe this sounds like a classic case of nose rub. Basically your snake is rubbing its nose against some part of the cage. If that part is rough, then this will result in irritation, scale damage, and infection. IN your case, infection has likely set in. There are two things that I would recommend. 1) treat this with betadine (apply using a Q-tip to the swollen area. This should help minimize secondary infection. 2) you may want to bring this to a herp vet to get some antibiotics. I have seen nose-rub literally destroy the nose structure in snakes if left untreated. If the irritation is mild, then the betadine alone might control it. You will also need to reconsider how your snake is housed to prevent nose rub occurring. Check all of your environmental conditions (i.e. lighting [too bright with no hide can lead to the snake wanting to escape], too warm, too dry/wet.

Warren
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Dr Warren Booth / Director USARK
North Carolina State University
Department of Entomology