Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just received a 5ft. burm that was fed live food and I was told he "liked" live food and wouldn't take F/T. Well last night he took F/T with no problems and very quickly. So of course he has "battle scars" injured scales, some look like they are wrinkled or dried out, also in a few spots. Will these shed out eventually so there are no signs of trauma?
Also I think he was kept in below optimum humidity/heat levels and the front 2 vents seem a bit clogged. The picture below shows it magnified. Picture makes it look alot worse than it is. Will these vents and the rest of the nose area heal and shed out also in the right temp/humidity levels? He is showing no signs of RI And my conditions are about 92 on the hot end going down to 85ish on the cool, humidity is about 70-75%. His mouth is correct color and no mucus. Other than his battle scars and the two clogged vents he seems in very good health.

Thats not from feeding live/the live prey biting or clawing at him. It's from him rubbing his nose against the cage constantly. Those scales are pretty much bad and you should pick them off using some type of lube and tool. They will be very raw at first and the scales will not grow back but it will eventually look normal with sheds and time. Not a big deal it happens to a a lot of snakes. It looking raw should go away within a few weeks.

I disagree that the scales should be picked off. They look rather secure. Of course any half shed scales or other detritus can be wiped off. Anything to invasive probably shouldn't be done. If the snake is doing fine otherwards,then nothing more needs to be done. A proper enclosure design will minimize future head rubbing. The nares (vent is in the back) will heal, but remain somewhat scarred and constricted. Your snake will be more likely to wheeze or hiss when the respiratory rate is increased (handling, feeding ect) If open mouth breathing is apparent at any time, this problem will have to be evaluated by a veterinarian.