Scale discolouration...?

[Rubix]

Quick question before I head to bed... sorry in advance for the lack of pictures. I tried, I really did, but there's only so much you can do with a crappy camera when it comes to small details :(

Anyways, my corn shed today, and it had come off in two big pieces, with a bit of skin still attached around his midsection. Part of the skin that was still attached rubbed off easily, but there's a stubborn little piece that won't come off; it appears to be adhered to a couple scales that look to me to have turned a deep brown colour. Is this something I should be worried about? My first thought was to wait and see what it looks like when/if the retained shed comes off, but even though I've done the reading, I definetly have no 'field' experience with this type of thing... :rolleyes:

So like I said, I was just off to bed when I noticed he shed, so I'll be looking into it more early tommorow, just thought I'd throw a question out to you guys first just to be safe.

Thanks

[vanderkm]

If it is only a couple scales that are brown and adherant to the 'shed' skin, I wouldn't be too concerned. It could just be a site of minor injury that occurred during or just before this shed cycle. We have seen similar problems from handling a snake during a shed cycle and a few scales being damaged. I would keep an eye on it, to make sure the retained shed does come off (you might soak it a bit and rub with a damp terry cloth to help it off) - I suspect it will not get any worse and will be pretty much normal with the next shed. If the affected area starts to get bigger - you may need to treat it, but I doubt it will be much of a problem.

mary v.

[Lioness]

so Vander..u can damage scales when handling a snake during a shed?

[dannyc]

My male did a simular thing last week. I feed them on a regular schedule and I fed him the day before the shed. The front half came off early in the morning and the rest later in the day. I was wondering if the swelling of feeding caused the split in the shed. It seemed to be right where he swells from eating

[Rubix]

Oh, that's interesting... I fed him before the shed as well (he's never refused a meal so I don't disturb his feeding schedule), but the split was higher up than the lump from the mouse.

Thanks Mary, I worry too much over my 'babies' and it's always nice to put some of the worries to rest. I'll keep an eye on it :)