Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. I have a 6 month old iguana and he is missing scales on different spot on his body. Mostly under his tail and on his feet. I can only seen skin where the green scales are soposed to be. He was like this when I bought him from the pet store. Is this something to be worried about? He seems fine. I've had him about 2 1/2 months. Please help if you have any comments or sugestions. Thanks.

Have you seen at least a couple of sheds by now? Do the "skin" portions shed also?

If you see no scales in those places, it could be an old healed burn wound, probably from a hot rock. If your lizard is not shedding, it needs a vet visit.

Roger

...I've seen the healed results of very bad burns, and the scar tissue is scaly, though a different kind of scalation than normal.

So I guess I have no answer to your question, sorry.

Roger

Maybe scars from a mite infestation? Or sometimes, when an ig is getting bigger, the scales start changing color in little patches, even one scale at a time in some places. If you're seeing dark little specks in amongst the scales, maybe that's what it is? If they're pink spots, that's definately skin, and if white, scars. A visit to the vet is in order, and we'll all be interested to know the answer to the mystery!

-Erin

The places that he is missing scales is pinkish gray. I took him into a pet store that spealizes in reptiles and they said it looks like scars from heat rock burns. They said that it is having no effect on his health. He is very healthy. Thanks for your help.