Missing Scales???

[Lore]

I just got my Okeetee from a great breeder a few weeks ago. She shed a few days ago and while I was handling her today I noticed a small section on her that appears like scales are missing. This is her first shed with me, I did not notice this when I got her.

I tried my best to get a picture of it, I'll try again, but this is the best I could come up with for now. My hands were quite warm, therfor she was quite active ;)

Here is a photo of the area in question, the spot I am talking about should be quite obvious. Also a full photo of my beautiful girl :)

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b178/silentlore/flaw.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b178/silentlore/ravenshed.jpg

[Tula_Montage]

shes booootiful :)

[Lore]

Upon closer inspection and investigating. I viewd photos I had taken of her in the past and I found a photo where the area where the scales are missing is visible and in her preshed photo the scales are intact.

The section where she is now missing scales is at the bend at the saddle just before the saddle that connects with a red dot on her side. IN this photo seen to be just fine

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b178/silentlore/New_05_Okeetee0004.jpg

I then gave her shed another close inspection (glad I still had it on the table) and found the area and inside the shed, I found the scales that she is now missing. They came off with her shed. (in the photo the shed appears quite broken, however it was perfect and complete when I got it out of her viv, its only quite crumbled now from me inspecting the dried out skin)

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b178/silentlore/IMG_1078.jpg

The humidity is optimal, a humid hide was offered if she wanted to use it.

I don't know why this happened. Is this common? Will the scales grow back? :shrugs:

[Tula_Montage]

as far as i know snakes have the same amount of scales ther whole lives, so if this is true, then i assume they wont "grow" back... sorry :(

shes such a lovely girl and you cant notice it anyways ;)

[Lore]

They don't "grow" back? :cry: Oh man... that really sucks. I hope it doesn't happen again or continue to in the same area.

Does anyone have experience with this happeneing to them? What could have caused this to happen?

My humidity was great, she had "baths" when out in blue, she had a humid hide etc, everything was done right. *sigh* ugh... this is so frustrating. :shrugs:

[marty.warwick]

I wouldn't be surprised if within a few sheds the patch would slowly disappear. Mine had the edge of one of his head scales slightly coming up. I worried only a bit at first, and just waited to see what would happen after the next shed. When he did, I saw a small bit of the scale on the shed, and the area that was 'peeling' was completely replaced on his head :)

[dwyn127]

I have an '05 that got about 6 scales below her head stuck to a peice of electrical tape I was using to keep the thermometer probe stuck to the tank. {"Stupid!!:argue: I told you not to use any tape in her viv that it could prove harmful!!!!":headbang: Why won't you listen to me?"} Sorry, just having a schizophrenic moment.

But anyway, she ended up with a white scar where the scales were and now after a few sheds, the scales haven't filled in, but the color is coming back making it hard to tell.

Public Service Announcement - Don't use tape inside vivs.