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Q: Strange patch of scales
Posted By:

Herpetology Mermaid

Hello!

I am looking at an IJ python that I may purchase, but I was looking at the animal today and it has a patch along it's back where the scales are discolored and feel slightly "grainy". If you rub it with water and vanishes, but the discoloration comes back as soon as it dries. To me it does not seem like a stuck shed, plus from my understanding the animal has shed recently and the spot did not change. It is almost in a perfect rectangle along the back of probably 1/8th of the animal. It is very strange and was wondering what you all might think of it? Other than that the animal seems perfectly healthy.   


Attached Photos:


Points: 100
Topics: General Health , Skin
Tags: Carpetpythons, Scales, Weird
Species: Pythons > Morelia > Morelia spilota harrisoni
Administrative: Show/Hide

Accepted Answer 2/16/2013 6:49:23 PM

Sonja K. Reptiles

Is there anything in the enclosure that is that shape or a way he could have got masking tape  / adhesive stuck to him? 

 
Assisted Answer 2/16/2013 9:29:58 PM

SapphireTigress

Dont know what to tell you about the scales, but from what I can see what a pretty snake!

 
Author Comment 2/16/2013 10:44:37 PM

Herpetology Mermaid

Sonja, not that i know of. At least not in the enclosure she's in. She was recently brought into the exotics petstore my boyfriend works in. The tub she came in might not have been her permanent enclosure previously. I should also note that she came into the store with this spot on her, and in the time she's been there she has shed (in one full piece, and this spot did not change.) 

 

SapphireTigress, she is GORGEOUS! One of the better IJs I've seen. 

 
Member Comment 2/17/2013 2:45:40 AM

jeff tyler
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Member Comment 2/17/2013 2:48:27 AM

jeff tyler
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Member Comment 2/17/2013 2:50:21 AM

jeff tyler
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Assisted Answer 2/17/2013 2:13:23 PM

Cenobite

Shouldnt be an issue. Give him a bath and see if it comes off next shed. Pretty snake btw.

 
Assisted Answer 2/19/2013 3:15:26 AM

Emptysea

I wonder if it's a scale deformity.. that would be interesting. Like missing the top most layer on the scale causing it to be a little more lackluster than the rest.

 
Author Comment 2/20/2013 9:41:04 PM

Herpetology Mermaid

Thanks for all the responses everyone, I'm still not really sure what it is, but I've put money on her, so she's officially mine now. Will probably pay her off in a couple of weeks. I'll just keep an eye on it and see what happens when she sheds. 

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