Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know I know, I have posted 3 in a row but I have been gone for a while so that is my excuse! I was just curious about something because I have recently acquired a resque... (which in lament terms means I noticed my brother wasn't caring for his snakes to my standards and took them away from him until deemed responsible...) Anyway, he has a ball python (which now I suppose is temporarily mine) and he has had it for 4 months. He feeds it so little that it hasn't shed once in that time.....Maybe a hopper a month... Which is HORRIBLE! So I have gotten it up to a good weight but I have noticed that the scales around its ambilival scar (still has a VERY apparent one at 4 months old) are hard/brittle and discolored. They don't look like they are infected (nor does the scar) but my question is can a snake have it's skin so long that the skin starts to die? several other random scales are like this too but ESPECIALLY around the scar... and I honestly don't think it is an infection there. So...opinions welcome! Thanks!
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1.0 Redtail "Kilo"
1.0 Ball Python "Road Hog"
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches" (Didn't name her!)

If the snake is otherwise doing well, I would monitor it after later sheds. If it doesn't decrease with each shed or the snake otherwise begins to look sick a vet visit is in order.

I'm happy to see that you're a responsible herp owner... where is the parents in all of this? (I'm under the opinion that they should be somewhat involved in kids having pets)

Ian

20 is a little old to be concidered a kid... my brother and I are roomates. But yes I do concider myself a resposible herp owner. thanks for the compliment.
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0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1.0 Redtail "Kilo"
1.0 Ball Python "Road Hog"
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches" (Didn't name her!)