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Ball python snake injury to head missing scales

8.6K views 21 replies 4 participants last post by  natefitz  
#1 ·
My albino spider was in great condition yesterday and when I checked on her today her head is scratched and very red. It appears she has scratched the scales off the top of her head. She is stored in a 28q rack with a divider. She is on one half and two hatchlings are on the other side. I was thinking she either tried to slide under and got stuck or attempted to escape the bin and got stuck. Has anyone ever seen this? Is there any remedy? Will this scar? Please see the attached pictures. Thanks.
 

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#2 ·
Is there any remedy? Will this scar? Please see the attached pictures. Thanks.
Yes - change the housing for something more secure and less risk to the snake.
Yes - if the actual scales have been torn (as it appears) the yes it will scar

But more important have a vet take a look - they are best qualified to advise on a treatment
 
#3 ·
Ouch, that looks sore!
I agree with malc, definitely looks like it will scar and I'd recommend assessing her housing and making some changes.

Keep it super clean while it heals, I'd recommend a visit to the vet for a check, they may prescribe some topical cream to prevent infection.

Sent from my EML-L29 using Tapatalk
 
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#4 ·
I know it looks sore. Pretty sure she tried to slide underneath the divider. I put Gorilla tape in the gaps of the divider and removed substrate and have paper towels down. Keeping a close eye on the poor girl and I always keep my enclosures sanitary. I was instructed by the breeder I purchased her from to apply triple antibiotic ointment (Neosporin without pain reliever) twice daily for about a week. Hoping the scar fades over time, she is only 250 grams. Thanks for you help
 
#5 ·
One of the problem we have is this being a UK based forum can only really offer advice based on UK "rules and regulations" - and typically antibiotics can only be obtained through a vet. If you can obtain a suitable product without the need of a vets appointment then it may be worth a try, but personally I would still recommend having the snake checked out by a trained professional. Some antibiotics work better than others, and sometime intramuscular injection is better than a cream at preventing infection.

I doubt very much that the scar will fade, it will heal, but it will be noticable. I have a boa that lost one or two scales when he was small and now he's grown up they are still visible.
 
#9 ·
They are housed in a professional rack system. I am using professionally built dividers that were held in place with velcro. Since that proved to be worthless, gorilla tape was the quick temporary fix. I have a 9 tub 16q hatchling rack en route. I am new to snake breeding, so thank you all for the advice. However I will say I keep a very close eye on them every day. I am also keeping a very close eye on the tape. It is very well fastened and as previously stated, temporary. And another note, in less than 24 hours with Neosporin the sore looks much healthier. I will post progress photos. Thank you all very much
 
#10 ·
Well if a "professional" company are making and selling a rack that is not secure and has sharp sections I would be questioning the design. The dividers should not need securing with Velcro !!

Just for reference so that others can steer clear of this make and brand of racks - who makes this "professional" rack system ?
 
#12 ·
This ^^

Although, prior to sharing the company name - perhaps confront the company and offer some feedback, if the response is negative then please do let us know of the company as I would very much like to avoid these 'professional ' enclosures.
 
#11 ·
Is there any remedy?
I was instructed by the breeder I purchased her from to apply triple antibiotic ointment (Neosporin without pain reliever) twice daily for about a week.
So in essence there was little point in posting on the forum. Any advice we could offer such as seeking a vets opinion was a waste of time. The breeder must have had experience of these things (maybe he uses the same "professional" racks :) ) and was good enough to help you out.

Hopefully the snake makes a recovery and the scar is minimal
 
#14 ·
To clarify, the response from those who offered their opinion was helpful and useful and I appreciate it. The concern of using Gorilla tape led me to research this product in this particular application. Several sources state the tape can be used in extreme temperatures, heat, cold, moisture, etc. I am confident she will recover and hopeful the scar is minimal. I appreciate your concern as I am too very concerned and love my animals. I will keep you posted with progress pictures. Thanks.
 
#13 ·
The problem is not the rack or dividers, its the bins. The bins are not perfectly flat around the perimeter of the interior. Therefore the dividers do not lay flat on the bottom at the ends, giving a small gap for the snake to squeeze through. Herein lies the problem. Hence the quick fix with gorilla tape which can withstand moisture and heat up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
 
#19 ·
I have to question why you felt the need to double up and reduce the space available for each hatchling by adding a divider, the result of which seems to be the cause of the snake being injured. I know you've mentioned a new hatchling rack is en-route, but I personally feel this need to cram royals into a small space is just so wrong. But then it's just my opinion (its a public forum afterall) and royals will forever be kept in small tubs unless it becomes illegal in the individual countries, or the minimum size of tubs are stipulated.

Personally I would remove the divider and house the snakes singularly in a tub of their own. If that is not an option then if they are hatchlings that are less than a year old then short term cohabiting two hatchlings in one tub until the new rack arrives might be your better option rather than risk any further escapees, or snakes getting stuck on tape as they explore.

I do however admire you for posting these image and taking the flak from us brits. Long term members are quite sceptical of a lot of new posts from first time members that are appearing on the forum since it was revamped - especially as a lot seem to be from over the pond. So my apologies if I came over a tad rude
 
#20 ·
I have to question why you felt the need to double up and reduce the space available for each hatchling by adding a divider, the result of which seems to be the cause of the snake being injured. I know you've mentioned a new hatchling rack is en-route, but I personally feel this need to cram royals into a small space is just so wrong. But then it's just my opinion (its a public forum afterall) and royals will forever be kept in small tubs unless it becomes illegal in the individual countries, or the minimum size of tubs are stipulated.

Personally I would remove the divider and house the snakes singularly in a tub of their own. If that is not an option then if they are hatchlings that are less than a year old then short term cohabiting two hatchlings in one tub until the new rack arrives might be your better option rather than risk any further escapees, or snakes getting stuck on tape as they explore.

I do however admire you for posting these image and taking the flak from us brits. Long term members are quite sceptical of a lot of new posts from first time members that are appearing on the forum since it was revamped - especially as a lot seem to be from over the pond. So my apologies if I came over a tad rude
No worries. I’m not offended. I have heard so much conflicting opinions. Smaller tubs for hatchlings are better as it gives them a sense of protection. Larger tubs are better since it gives them room to roam. Cohabitation is fine until they are a little older, cohabitation is never recommended as they can fight.

Yes of course a public forum and everyone is welcome to opine on this topic. I suppose I will take everyone thoughts and advise into consideration and do what works best for me and what I witness as being best for my snakes.

I do have three of my BP’s in large 40 gallon terrariums. One of which use to be in a 28q tub for the majority of his life. He seems to be spending most of his time inside the hides so I may put him back in the rack. For me the rack is easier to control temp and humidity as well as keep clean.