What is this on her head

[Herpster]

Hi people, I will try my best to explain as I dont have a recent photo but have photo shoped one to the best reflect what I am on about.



The scales that I have drawn on (circled in Red) recently appeared on my royal, so I waited for her next shed in the hope they would have dissapered but alas they are still there. It appears to be several scales affected, in each instance the entire scale is completely an off white colour as in the whole entire single scale is individually affected and they dont form a consistant pattern i.e its in small patches and even single scales on their own in a couple of instances which makes think its not retained shed. Apart from that she is well, active, temps are fine and hasnt missed a feed in over 8 months. It doesnt appear to be getting any worse but never the less would like to get to the bottom of it before it may become an expensive vet bill.
Any ideas or could you point me in the direction of a visual guide to snake ilnesses on the net?
thanks Steve

[SiUK]

could it be an infection under the scales?

[talltom69]

Im going to say not to worry on this one as every now and then the same happens to my royals, like you described they appear to be redundant scales that look dead but dont come off.

The ones on mine come and go from every few months or so and I have seen them on loads of other royals.

[Herpster]

Hope not . What sort of infections can they get?

[SuperTed]

could it not be bits of shed from previous sheds?

[Herpster]

Thanks Tom. Thats what I was hoping as it doesnt seem to be getting any worse.
I wonder how long it takes for someone to say "just use the same paint shop programme to remove them"

[Markgrieves]

Id wait until the next shed before i was too worried, but i would look in the viv for any signs of mite, fly, spider too.
If its just her head, id wait.
Have you tried picking them off. Royals can have retained scales as they dont overlap.

[BlueRoses]

QUOTE:"Im going to say not to worry on this one as every now and then the same happens to my royals, like you described they appear to be redundant scales that look dead but dont come off."
The ones on mine come and go from every few months or so and I have seen them on loads of other royals."


I agree! Ive had this on my Royals from time to time. It almost looks like the 'gloss' has been stripped from the affected scales doesnt it? I think thats exactly what happens. The shed pulls a bit of the coating off the next scales surface. In all my cases this rectified itself over the next or following sheds. I just made sure I had increased the humidity a bit more next time and also sprayed the snake with some reptile skin conditioning spray (with jojoba and aloe vera,) at the next shedding cycle.

[Miranda]

i was going to say it does look very photoshopped! does she squirm when you touch them?

[Herpster]

Thanks for the answers guys. Fortunataly she is a complete sweet heart to handle so I have been able to look at them in detail. They appear to be firmly affixed so havn't tried removing them as I believe to much force would be needed. She is due for a complete viv clean this weekend so can check for creepy crawlies and stuff, and will wait till her next shed before I take it any further.
Once again thanks and peace