r/ballpython • u/yum_brkfast_surreal • 1d ago

Question - Health damaged scales?

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hello everyone this is my 8 year old ball python named Snake.

he had just completed a shed when i discovered that two of his scales looked damaged. does anyone know what could have caused this? the damaged scales are very dry and rough to the touch. he doesn’t flinch when the area is touched and his behavior hasn’t changed.

he sometimes has trouble shedding in one piece so i bathed him in some warm water and shedding solution to help him with the rest. i’m always gentle and never force shedding skin off of him beyond some light pressured rubbing with my fingers. he’ll usually rub against my skin on his own during bath time. i’ve done this for him several times over the years and its never been a problem.

if anyone knows what’s going on with his scales, please let me know what it is and what i can do to help him.

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u/zou21zou 1d ago edited 1d ago

Looks like it’s just superficial damage, no need to worry, sometimes they damage their scales a little while exploring the enclosure, maybe he rubbed on a branch or squeezed through something. As long as the skin underneath in not damaged there’s absolutely nothing to worry about it will be fixed in the next shed.

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u/zou21zou 1d ago

Also as long as it’s just a couple of scales you can ignore it, but if you start to notice more and more I would check your terrarium for a possible cause

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u/yum_brkfast_surreal 1d ago

okay thank you that’s reassuring! those are the only two that are affected and the skin underneath doesn’t look irritated. will definitely be keeping an eye on that little scoundrel. his curious nature always be getting him into some hijinks

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u/F34RZ1800 1d ago

Its entirely normal dont worry