Scale creases

[Chambers san]

Has any one ever noticed creases or folds in the scales of there snake were its body has bent in the past? This seems to be a common occurance in terrestrial boids and doesnt seem to affect the over all health of the snake, but I was just wondering; Is there any way to strengthen the snakes scale structure so these creases are less evident or dont last as long?

[Barracuda_41]

Re:Scale creases

8) Hey Chambers, alot of snakes that stay in one position for awhile will have these creses in the scales, i know my big girl Delilah does and i think its because shes so big and fat and then when she curls up and stays like that for awhile she gets them, no biggy.. As for something that might help try FourPaws Vita spray it helps soften the skin and is very good for them..

[Red]

Re:Scale creases

getting electrolytes and putting them in the water will work too...
Eric aka...Red

[redtailedmel]

Re:Scale creases

rusty has that too because he stays curled alot but once he sheds it usually goes away for awhile till he balls up again.

[sclark]

Re:Scale creases

Hi Chamber,

Like was mentioned, a good bath in the tub works for my snakes who get that. Just be aware it could be happening from slightly low humidity, again it may not, just a possible cause.. Only one of my snakes get that.. Bugged me out the first time I seen it..

Steve

[Chambers san]

Re:Scale creases

Im betting its low humidity, I need a good humidity gauge...
What is a good source of electrolytes that I could use??
Thanks in advance.

[Chambers san]

Re:Scale creases

oh yeah,
sclark - why did only one of your snakes get that?

[Red]

Re:Scale creases

Well the unflavored pedialyte is the easyest stuff to find... If you can talk to a nutrishanalist and they will most likly have a sorce of just strait stuff...
Eric aka....Red

[sclark]

Re:Scale creases

Hey Chambers..

I am guessing it was because it was a rescue that was slightly dehydrated when he came in and he was in a 4x2 glass tank.. And we all know glass is no fun to hold humidity..

Steve

[ClayEnglish]

Re:Scale creases

Actually if we are talking about a small vertical skin fold that is on the side ONLY, possibly in several places, then we are talking about something that is very common in boas. Boas that spend a lot of time in a stationary position will often have these vertical skin fold/crease. Larger boas have them all the time. These will normally go away naturally.

What I am talking about looks like one row of scales in a vertical row appears to be raised.

Other abnormal skin/scale positions such as a large area of wrinkled scales. Or raised areas that completely create a circle around the boa may indicate a boa that is dehydrated.

[Chambers san]

Re:Scale creases

Hey, thanks for the replies. Im gonna try some of that stuff and update soon.

[eViL_KaRoT]

Re:Scale creases

I have found several vertical creases (folds) in Ursula. (My 7ft boa) How big of a tank is your's in? Because Ursula gets them because, like Clay said, she stays coiled up all the time, but she's in a tank that is too small for her. I'm hoping that once I finish the new tank, that'll help with the creases.

[Chambers san]

Re:Scale creases

hey,
sorry for the late reply.
My 4.5' Dumeril's is in a 4x2x1.5 vision. Im pretty sure it was due to a low rel. humidity, I found out that it was only at like 51%. Anyway, I raised the percent and the creases are gradually disappeared.

[WeLsH]

Re:Scale creases

I have my boa in a Boaphile cage with perfect temps and humidity, and she always gets these so called skin creases. I dont think its nothing to be worreid about, but like what Clay said, make sure its not alot of scales, or a large area.