Healthy scales?

[kiiarah]

Hi everyone, I have what is probably a very silly question. As I was holding Shesha the other day I noticed that when he coils a certain way his scales are very slightly elevated at the part of his body that is bent. Part of me figures that this is probably normal but at the same time, don’t they have a thin layer of skin over the scales that would keep them smooth? I haven’t handled many other snakes that extensively so I don’t have much to compare to. Should their scales stay smooth all the time or should they be able to lift up slightly based on body positioning, movement, etc?



I also notice sometimes that they seem to catch when he pulls himself backwards against certain fabrics. He is perfectly smooth when he is moving forward but pulling backwards it is like I can feel his scales catching as he goes. If he is lying straight instead of coiled no scales appear lifted at all, this is only when he is coiled certain ways. Anyone with a bit more experience able to give me an idea of what “healthy” scales should look/feel like? I just want to be sure that I would recognize signs of any problems if I saw them. Thanks so much guys!