ribbon snakes -- help with herps!

my roomie came home with a couple of ribbon snakes yesterday. one has something funky going on with his scales... somewhat of a disarrangement, almost like a skewed stretch, and one scale seems slightly raised. yet, the skin does not appear broken and there is no discharge. maybe this is somehow related to shedding, and isn't anything to be concerned over? maybe this is a recovering wound? or might this sound like a parasite of some sort? he's a thin snake, so i'm not sure how clear a picture would be. i can try though, if it will help.

ideas and suggestions would be madly appreciated!

 

I don't keep snakes myself, but I've had a few lessons in reptile health before now.

Are the snakes eyes a milky colour? If they are, it's probably just shedding. If this is so, be carefull, snakes have VERY VERY poor eyesight when shedding, so handling them must be done wiht more care than usual.

If the eyes are not milky, it may be an old wound. Not entirely sure. If it seems to cause the snake any discomfort, such as the snake stops feeding or basking, I'd suggest taking it to a reptile specialist to have it looked at, just to be safe.