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snake losing scales

daufoi

daufoi

New member
This morning I was changing the water for my corn snake and found 4 or 5 red scales in it. Is it normal for a corn snake to lose scales like that?

Before, I've noticed some gray areas on her body where there would normally be scales. It's been like that for a long time and I've never seen signs to make me think she is sick. She has always had good color, good muscle tone. She eats well. She doesn't shed as often as she used to but I figured that's because she is older now (about 1.5 years).

Thanks.
 
No that's not normal. If I were you I'd get that snake to a herp vet ASAP...losing scales is not a good thing. But I'd wait for more experianced opinions before panicing...I'm fairly new to this. :shrugs:
 
Losing scales is not a normal thing. Could be your snake has some type of fungus or something like that. What is your humidity levels like? Is there damp substrate that could be causing something like scale rot? It doesn't usually cause the scales to fall out, but you never know. Is there anything like tape in the viv that your snake could have gotten stuck to, damaging scales? Is there a rough edge that could have caught the skin on it while she was crawling around?
 
humidity is between 40-50%. I noticed all the scales that are falling off come from dorsal and anterior. I think it may be from damage but I'm not sure from what. I recently put a branch in there but I've had that same branch in there from before. Also the top is mesh but it is commercially made and everything feels smooth.
 
Yes, after shed they will usually replace damaged or missing scales unless it's scarred or something that permanently damages the growth area. Baytril when it's injected can cause permanent scarring at the injection spot, that sort of thing. If you're unsure of the cause, you might want a vet to look him over to make sure there's no pathological reason for the scale loss.
 
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