Is this scale rot or just his markings?

Sorry I’m a first time owner and majorly anxious, is this his markings or scale rot, he’s a leopard. He’s still eating fine and had these markings when I picked him up, just want to be sure.



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It’s kind of hard to tell in the pics but it doesn’t look like scale rot to me

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That’s great to hear! Thanks!

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Ok, I’ll be jerk that says it. Those are horrible pictures to discern scale rot. Flip the snake belly up and get it in MUCH better lighting. You might also want to circle or point to the exact place of concern.

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No need to be rude. It’s pretty obvious the areas that they’re asking about/ you could simply say “mind providing us with some clearer/better images of the animal? It’s a bit difficult to tell from these photos.”

They’re referring to the dark/discolored scales in the photo. Here’s one with it circled.


also suggesting to flip it belly up to take photos is a bit of an odd suggestion. I know that absolutely none of my snakes would let me just lay them belly up to take photos.

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Hello @chlogal3 Do you know what substrate he was kept on or anything at all about how he was kept?

Granted clearer pictures will help but the more information about him the better. And congrats on your new addition! :heart::+1::clap:

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Hello, congratulations on your first ball python!! Personally I’m not seeing scale rot although as mentioned above, better pictures will help us give you a concrete answer.
Unfortunately, I’ve dealt with what I’d guess was at minimum moderate cases of scale rot but I was able to get rid of it. I’ll post a photo of what my snake’s scale rot looked like.
Just make sure you get your humidity and temperatures at the right level to avoid any unnecessary vet trips.



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So @chlogal3 Looking at these pictures that @gina5678 has posted and imho only, it doesn’t look to me that your BP has scale rot…… But of course I am making an uneducated guess! Lol! :blush:

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Looks like a very young snake to me. They sometimes don’t always color up on the belly scales till they get some size on them. They tend to be pretty translucent at hatching and you can sometimes see the muscles and things underneath.

It’s hard to say if yours will darken up more or keep that lighter grey line. I used to have one with a similar marking.

Otherwise, as mentioned, keeping the temps/humidity where they need to be will be a big help. And obviously, keeping things clean. Scale rot is one of those things that everyone worries about, but honestly don’t typically happen that often when habitats are properly maintained.

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It could be poop.

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The scales also could have just been stained from a coco bedding at his old home

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Thank you everyone for all your info, I really do appreciate it! I’ve had him less than two weeks so I’m still very new to this and my anxiety is through the roof looking for things that could be going wrong, his temp and humidity are perfect with the temp gun and digital hygrometer I’ve done a lot of research with has left me worrying about everything that can go wrong :joy: also today he’s been standing up a lot if anyone knows what this means? Sorry, I’m just still learning and this community is absolutely amazing for it.

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He is periscoping which is them just looking around

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Thank you :pray:t3:

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No problem. Could you give specific temps and humidity? Just want to make sure everything is perfect

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Yeah warm end it’s 90.8 (inside his hide) and humidity is 67% :blush: well I’m hoping these are okay for him??

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Seems perfect! Some people like to provide a little bit of a cooler hot spot around 86-88. I don’t keep any balls personally but know a lot about them so I can’t add to that with my personal experience

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Oh okay I will keep that in mind, thank you for all your help :blush:

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Based of the photos provided it doesnt look like scale rot to me its most likely just markings. And very cute periscoping picture i love when they do that!

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Also try switching to a tropical substrate or you will go crazy trying to keep a good humidity level with what you have now. Just thought id give you a little tip since you said you are a new keeper. Congrats and goodluck with you little noodle :slightly_smiling_face:

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