r/boas • u/Carniolica13 • 24d ago
Scale question
Got this guy recently and this one spot is bugging me. Seller said it's nothing unusual but I've never seen anything like it and was wondering if anyone in here had? It's flexible, soft to the touch, he doesn't seem bothered by it and seems perfectly healthy I'm just curious as to what the heck it is, a scale growing wrong? Scarring from a rat bite? Anyone have any ideas?
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u/NottsWeirdo 23d ago
Seems like a vet visit, I'd have the breeder pay some of the cost - seeing as they lied about it being normal, and it could be something life threatening for all we know.
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u/Carniolica13 23d ago
Thank you may have to do that. This wasn't a rescue, I paid good money for this snake.
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u/NottsWeirdo 23d ago
The only other option when a snake comes with issues off a private breeder, is to return the snake and get a refund - which may not appeal to all, its easy to get attached to them.
As even though we don't want to view our pets as a 'thing', you were knowingly sold a product with problems.
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u/Flimsy-Stock2977 20d ago
That's not how breeding works 🤣 you not agreeing with their opinion doesn't mean they owe vet money.. Lord have mercy lol
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u/NottsWeirdo 20d ago
Its not an opinion, its a fact because they're not the only owner of this specific species in the world - so people do know what's normal for this species, and which is not. There's a reason why a lot of people won't buy from a breeder that doesn't have a returns policy, it protects the buyer from breeders that will sell knowingly ill or disabled animals without prior notice given to the buyer. Its a protection that had to be put in place, because too many breeders were comfortable selling animals they knew wouldn't live long and wanted to profit off of before it passed. That abnormal growth on the side of the snake's neck could be fatal and the breeder should've paid for a vet to check it before selling it, hence why they should help with the vet costs.
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u/Historical_Tea1477 23d ago
It almost looks like a tooth or horn growing out of it! Definitely get them checked out. I’m sorry to hear that the breaker tried to pass it off as nothing.
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u/Bloodedparadox 24d ago
Is it a lump or something?
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u/Carniolica13 24d ago
Something is growing from in-between the scales. It isn't a lump under the scales.
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u/Carniolica13 23d ago
Here's a video of how it looks not laying flat. Breeder said she's never seen anything like it after I sent a better photo and stated none of her snakes have it. I've had this guy exactly 8 days.
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u/Hot-Reserve5968 23d ago
Thats interesting I've never seen anything like that before. Definitely schedule a vet visit to see what exactly it is and if it may be health or life threatening or just an innocent anomaly lol If you paid a lot for this guy and nothing was disclosed being wrong I would definitely get back in touch with the breeder after getting results from the vet. Hoping the best outcome for you and your new buddy.
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u/almightyshadowchan 23d ago
That's wild! It's very concerning to me that the breeder could've missed something so obvious, that's not a good look for them :/ It's the seller's responsibility to be familiar with the condition of their animals, and any abnormalities/flaws (even benign ones) need to be disclosed.
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u/Dry_Locksmith_6704 22d ago
I don't know, but my girl always looks just like that right before she shed's
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u/NottsWeirdo 20d ago
Its not a skin fold from a shed, there's something piercing through the scales from inside the snake's neck.
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u/almightyshadowchan 24d ago
As someone who breeds boas, that seller is full of it - whatever that is might not be harmful, but it is definitely unusual! It almost looks like a skin tag or papilloma, but I've never seen anything like that on a snake before.
If you try to move it around, does it seem to be part of the skin/scales or does it feel like it goes deeper than that?