Gail's garter - the snake kind silly.

[kueluck]

Sadie 2-9-14.jpgJewels & Sadie 2-9-14.jpg
Sadies closeup and Jewel's and her just hanging out on the log.

[guidofatherof5]

Sadie is beautiful.

[kueluck]

Thanks Steve. She is a cutie but she's so small compared to Mona, almost half the size and only one month younger.

Sadie is beautiful.

[kueluck]

I've been blessed with 3 very healthy & friendly snakes and hate it when something is off. Mona has one scales that is kinda "loose". She had a perfect shed 2 weeks ago so I'm not sure if maybe she caught this on a piece of cork bark or one of the grapevine branches. It doesn't seem to bother her, and when I was checking it out she didn't seem to mind either. Just checking to see if I should do anything or just leave it alone until her next shed.
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[guidofatherof5]

Any chance it's just a retained shed scale? Is there skin under it or a scale?

[ConcinusMan]

That's what it looks like to me. Old skin didn't come off and is now likely fused. don't attempt to remove it. Since it's not on the eye cap or large portions of the body it's not an emergency at this time. Next shed keep an eye on that area, usually it comes off next shed. If it doesn't the worst that could happen is the loss of that one scale. No biggie.

[kueluck]

I was thinking that, but on her last shed a few weeks ago there was nothing missing from the shed. I actually held it while she crawled out of it. Plus once they shed I use a magnifying glass and check out their whole body, remember I only have 3 snakes so it's not a major upkeep for me. I'm not really "worried" but more curious as to a "loose" partial scale, it's not even the whole scale.

Steve, I really can't tell if there is skin under it or not. It's attached yet sounds crinkly when you touch it.

[guidofatherof5]

I was thinking that, but on her last shed a few weeks ago there was nothing missing from the shed. I actually held it while she crawled out of it. Plus once they shed I use a magnifying glass and check out their whole body, remember I only have 3 snakes so it's not a major upkeep for me. I'm not really "worried" but more curious as to a "loose" partial scale, it's not even the whole scale.

Steve, I really can't tell if there is skin under it or not. It's attached yet sounds crinkly when you touch it.

Is it loose? Do any of the corners come up? If it were an actual scale that was loose it would have caused some injury as it came off.
It sounds more like a retained scale to me. Having a complete shed last time makes this a little strange.

[ConcinusMan]

Well, I told you what it is and it comes from 30 years of experience. it's fairly common and not really a major concern. It will likely come off next shed.

[kueluck]

Today I failed and gave into temptation. THANKS SHAWN!!!! No really, thanks for having the female similis babies.
Meet Fiona. Ate like a champ and is settling into her new home. No more, this is def my last one.
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When you get a chance to check your records, please send me the birth date.