Really worried about ratsnake...*pics*

[jennrosefx]

So, I've posted once or twice about my leucy ratsnake, Worm...who has not shed in three months. He's eating like a pig, acts alert, active and healthy when held, and has obviously grown some in the past three months. His skin has been dullish for some time, and I noticed a tiny peeling spot on his head a couple weeks back. I was told to try soaking him, and to provide him with a moist hide...I did both...he still has the moist hide, and I soaked him again two days ago. Tonight I noticed some discoloration on his head. In the pics you'll see an almost brownish/yellow tint in places...as well as a strange texture on the top of his head. Does this just mean he'll shed soon...is it something I should be worried about? Is there anything I should be doing other than what I have allready done? Should I take him to the vet? Am I just being paranoid? He's acting totally healthy otherwise...so it's probably nothing...but he's the sweetest snake ever, and I don't want to see anything happen to him.

 

[MegF.]

It's possible that he'll shed soon, but the discoloration doesn't look like a normal pre-shed blue. Are you sure he isn't getting too much moisture or something? It almost reminds me of a fungus. I'm not real familiar with how these look when they are in blue. Since he seems normal in every way, I wouldn't worry too much. Keep an eye out and watch for shedding and see if it goes away.

 

[Tyger9791]

the head thing would worry me too.
if it's any help...i have a grey rat that hasnt shed since the first week of november. and he usually eats every week. except this week he didnt eat. and i've noticed that on his head, he has a patch of skin peeling. but it's very tiny. i've only seen him shed once and that was about a week before i bought him. and before he shed, he spent a lot of time soaking his whole body in his water bowl. i didnt buy him from the store until after he had shed and eaten another meal. and the store didnt provide him with a humid hide, just a water bowl. i was told that they like a good soaking before they shed.
just provide them with a water bowl that just fits their bodies.

my cornsnake, on the other hand, is shedding once a month. and i've never seen him soak. he just goes into his humid hide and a couple days later he sheds.

 

[CornCrazy]

I have seen that before when there is a patch of retained skin. Hopefully he will shed soon. If not, then a trip to the vet would hopefully ease your worrying.

 

[jennrosefx]

Yeah, my corn is about a year and a half old, and still sheds ever month-month and a half. With her, it's easy to tell when she is going to shed...she stayes in hiding, and of course, since she's colorful, you can actually see when she is in blue. I tend to just mist her cage durring that time, and she's always had perfect sheds.

As for the ratsnake, he was shipped to me on November 9th. Durring shipping he started to shed, and finished the shed a couple hours later in his new tank. It was a perfect shed too...I still have it. But, nothing since then...except he IS growing and eating. It didn't bother me all that much though...everyone was just saying they slow down sometimes in the winter and not to worry. But I really don't like the looks of his head. I dunno. I'm tempted to take him into the vet this morning just to play it safe. I go out of town tuesday, and dont' want to leave him not knowing what is going on.