kiiarah
10-27-14, 02:38 PM
In talking to another keeper on this site, I had mentioned some dull scales on Sheshas midsection. I had originally thought this was just due to complications with his last shed, but they think it could be something else so I am starting a specific thread for information on this issue. If anyone else has any feedback I would love to hear it, if this is anything that requires attention I would like to get a jump on it and start addressing it as soon as possible.
I should mention that the area shown is the only area where the issue appears and the affected area has not grown in size or shape that I can tell. I have been watching it since he shed a couple of weeks ago, which is when I first noticed it. He does have a habit of pressing himself against his decor. For instance when entering his half log hide, he will arch his back so his spine rubs against the top of the log. I am not sure if he would be likely to, or even could, put enough force against his scales to do this but I thought it worth mentioning. With his last shed, he basically got the entire first 2/3 off in one piece, but the old skin tore at this exact same area and the last third was left on. This is why I originally thought that the tugging as the skin caught and eventually tore off might have been enough to pull off the new scales. I was not at home when this happened, but arrived home to find the last part left on. Here are some images of the affected area.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee277/tarynt_gryph/SAM_1051_zps13077dcb.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee277/tarynt_gryph/SAM_1052_zpse39ca30a.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee277/tarynt_gryph/SAM_1053_zps31eacf6a.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee277/tarynt_gryph/SAM_1054_zps205730bd.jpg
So what do you think, bad shed or something more serious? Any replies greatly appreciated.
I should mention that the area shown is the only area where the issue appears and the affected area has not grown in size or shape that I can tell. I have been watching it since he shed a couple of weeks ago, which is when I first noticed it. He does have a habit of pressing himself against his decor. For instance when entering his half log hide, he will arch his back so his spine rubs against the top of the log. I am not sure if he would be likely to, or even could, put enough force against his scales to do this but I thought it worth mentioning. With his last shed, he basically got the entire first 2/3 off in one piece, but the old skin tore at this exact same area and the last third was left on. This is why I originally thought that the tugging as the skin caught and eventually tore off might have been enough to pull off the new scales. I was not at home when this happened, but arrived home to find the last part left on. Here are some images of the affected area.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee277/tarynt_gryph/SAM_1051_zps13077dcb.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee277/tarynt_gryph/SAM_1052_zpse39ca30a.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee277/tarynt_gryph/SAM_1053_zps31eacf6a.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee277/tarynt_gryph/SAM_1054_zps205730bd.jpg
So what do you think, bad shed or something more serious? Any replies greatly appreciated.