My Appalachicola Kingsnake, Dorian, is preparing to shed again, this time I noticed deformities on some of his scales. I did a lot of internet browsing but still don't know what this is! Does anybody have any ideas about what this is and how I should treat it?









Here is some background information that may help:

Dorian sheds nearly every two weeks, I have attributed this to his rapid growth as he has grown from 1.5ft to 3ft in a single year. Dorian generally has trouble shedding on his own and I place him in a bucket with a moist rag daily when he is preparing to shed. (I don't know whether I should put him in the bucket this time, because I'm worried that it may hurt him if he has an infection; however, I do not think he'll have a succesful shed without it. What should I do?)

When summer started I switched his heat-lamp off. I also cleaned and rearranged his aquarium. - Both were probably bad ideas. When I noticed the strange scales, I immediately turned his heat-lamp back on. - He curled up under it right away.

Dorian's behavior has been normal. He does not seem sensitive in the areas with the deformities, and has been active as usual. Of course since he's preparing to shed, he's been less active and has done a lot of soaking.

I'm very upset about this and I would appreciate any ideas and advice. Thank you!