Screen tops

Hillsberry · 05-30-10, 08:43 AM

My Jungle Carpet is in a 3 and a half foot sliding glass enclosure. Now it has a screen top ( which I hate ) and well at night she is always out exploring. She likes to rub she head in the screen. Well I don't think she means to but she likes to look out of the screen. To get to the point she has little white scratch marks on the top of her noise. they arent deep. But should I do anything for them it clean them or something? Also some of her scales got pulled up alittle. I dont think its a big deal but should I watch the scales too?

Nafun · 05-30-10, 09:00 AM

Screens are bad for snakes, and screen tops are doubly bad.

The scratching on her nose will only get worse. Your best bet is replacing the screen with something that won't abrade her nose. I recommend replacing it with a piece of plexi if you have other ventilation. If you don't have other ventilation, I'd replace it with something like peg board.

Screen tops also let out a *ton* of heat and moisture, making it hard to keep up temps, and almost impossible to keep up humidity.

As for the scales, can you post pics? It could be a sign of mites or ticks. If she wasn't exposed to either recently (is she a new arrival? have you had new arrivals? Has she been outside or around other reptiles?) I wouldn't worry about them unless they persist through her next shed.

infernalis · 05-30-10, 03:41 PM

Remember the pics of the green snakes that were posted last week?? those poor buggers has rubbed the nose raw.

Hillsberry · 06-01-10, 04:51 PM

I just change the top thanks guys! And there are no mites. Its just her rubbing. But all is well now thanks!

shaunyboy · 06-02-10, 09:11 AM

just keep an eye on things hillary then if something develops you'll be able to treat it straight away.if the scratches are'nt deep enough to draw blood then all should be ok.if they're deep just keep an eye out for any inflamation that could lead to infection.
cheers shaun

marvelfreak · 06-02-10, 11:48 AM

When my big jungle got a scar on her nose i lightly put triple antibiotic ointment on it. Even with reptiles it will help fight infection and help them heal faster.