AAZV 2021

Contributor:MACK

Signalment:Adult, male, tentacled snake

History:This animal was the last specimen in the group and was found dead. The snake had been shedding continuously, was reported to be covered in white spots, and had recently lost a tentacle. This was one of 53 tentacled snakes with a similar history that died in two of the zoo’s collections between 1973 and 2021.

Gross Lesions:The skin contains innumerable individual white scales and scattered clusters of white scales, accounting for less than 10% of the body as a whole, and most abundant just caudal to the head. The affected scales are often slightly raised or thickened and rough. The skin of the head is diffusely gray and easily sloughs.