Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got this little guy in about a week ago, and noticed this raised bump on his head just above his right eye. I decided to let it sit for a few days, to see if it would change. So far it doesn't seem to be getting better or worse. Has anyone experienced or seen anything like this? He is about to start shedding, I think I am going to wait until he is done before I make a trip to the vet, because it doesn't seem to be an emergency (but believe you me, if something weird seems to be going on, ill just give up on it....)

I tried to take pictures of it, but the way the shadows and glare off of his scales doesn't really do it justice. The best way that I can describe it, is, well, as a zit. Something is causing the scales (right at the "intersection" of 3 scales) to raise up about 2mm. I drew some arrows to the spots on the pictures for your viewing pleasure...

Let me know what yall think, some how, I dont think Oxi Clean is going to do it for this one......

~Johnny

All in all, a good snake, should turn out to be a good looking granite!

A granite, so I'd assume then that it was captive bred?

The bumps could be many things but I think your plan of action is a sensible one. A list of possibilities off the top of my head in no particular order would be an abscess (like that zit you mentioned), a cyst of whatever origin it may be, a tumor/growth, a birth defect, bone lesion, ...

If the bump becomes a concern, your snake shows other symptoms, or the bump changes in a negative manner (ie, bigger), then off to the vet you go

Ian

I would also assume it was captive breed... The person that I bought the snake from (and 4 others) was helpful until the money went through... This was my first "shipped" purchase, so I guess you live and learn... Another suggestion that i have been told was scale rot, which is seen in one of the other snakes that was with the lot, on the tail to be exact. The tail/scale rot is beening treated with an antibiotic ointment and has improved quite a bit since I first got him. Thanks for your advice, and Ill post something after he sheds, or if something changes!

~Johnny

From the photos, it doesn't seem too obvious at this point, but if it turns into something worse at least you spotted it early. Like Ian said, it could be a number of things, but a vet exam should confirm any of them.

It doesn't look particularly menacing at this point, so you can either wait a few days to a week to see if it changes/worsens, or if you're really paranoid you can bring him in for a checkup.

Christina
www.herptiles.net