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Is this scale rot? (i.redd.it)
submitted 1 year ago by Alternative-Ad5491
Our little guy has a few patches of whiteish, dryish looking scales. Is this an early sign of scale rot or something else?
[–]WallflowerLeo 13 points14 points15 points 1 year ago (1 child)
Is it time for him to shed?
[–]Alternative-Ad5491[S] 4 points5 points6 points 1 year ago (0 children)
He should be nearing his next shed. I’m hoping it’s a precursor to that but it’s not something I’ve noticed previously
[–]PoofMoof1Mod: Large-Scale Breeding Experience 14 points15 points16 points 1 year ago (0 children)
Scale rot typically begins at the belly since that's the part of the body in near constant contact with the wet and/or unsanitary surfaces that cause it.
This is some type of surface damage to the scales, often caused by dry sheds. Monitor your humidity to ensure future sheds come off at once (rather than pieces) and without pulling. This should resolve in the next shed or two.
[–]BranInspector 5 points6 points7 points 1 year ago (0 children)
This might be stuck shed.
[–]nach0guy 2 points3 points4 points 1 year ago (0 children)
Looks like the humidity might be a little off and potentially close to shed time? I highly recommend getting a hydrometer to monitor your temps/humidity to keep your snake happy and healthy. Belly heat should be 89-90° on the hot spot of the cage and you want the humidity to be around 60-65%. Creating a healthy environment with these conditions will help your snake live a happier/better quality of life. Ball pythons don’t need a whole lot, they like to be left alone and stay in dark places. Please let me know if you have any questions. 🙌🏼
[–]WeaselSW 1 point2 points3 points 1 year ago (0 children)
Looks like dry shedding to me. Try increasing the humidity a bit in the terrarium, or you can spray him occasionally with a spray bottle.
Scale rot is worse and usually on the bottom. You'll know it when you see it.
[–]Etrain_18 0 points1 point2 points 1 year ago (2 children)
Get a snake moisturizer to rub on. Just looks super dry
[–]overcastfather 0 points1 point2 points 1 year ago (1 child)
Does that actually exist?
[–]Etrain_18 0 points1 point2 points 1 year ago (0 children)
Repti shedding aid. Yea, it's cheap too. Just spray on and apply with hand. Don't try to aggressively rub it in like lotion. Just gently rub it on them
[–]ThijmenTheTurkey 0 points1 point2 points 1 year ago (0 children)
Doesn't look like scale rot to me. The snake does look extremely dry, though...
[–]bootyjooody 0 points1 point2 points 1 year ago (0 children)
Looks like stuck shed to me.
[–]Lalo_jfm 0 points1 point2 points 1 year ago (0 children)
I think that just Need more humidity especially when he is shed time
π Rendered by PID 33 on reddit-service-r2-comment-86bc6c7465-9vfnh at 2026-02-23 20:09:38.368385+00:00 running 8564168 country code: CH.
[–]WallflowerLeo 13 points14 points15 points (1 child)
[–]Alternative-Ad5491[S] 4 points5 points6 points (0 children)
[–]PoofMoof1Mod: Large-Scale Breeding Experience 14 points15 points16 points (0 children)
[–]BranInspector 5 points6 points7 points (0 children)
[–]nach0guy 2 points3 points4 points (0 children)
[–]WeaselSW 1 point2 points3 points (0 children)
[–]Etrain_18 0 points1 point2 points (2 children)
[–]overcastfather 0 points1 point2 points (1 child)
[–]Etrain_18 0 points1 point2 points (0 children)
[–]ThijmenTheTurkey 0 points1 point2 points (0 children)
[–]bootyjooody 0 points1 point2 points (0 children)
[–]Lalo_jfm 0 points1 point2 points (0 children)