Black Head

[Dudley]

I had the weekend off this week and so that means that my poor little ig at work was left in the hands of who ever volunteered to take care of the reptile house. Over this weekend, it seems no one had volunteered and out entire collection of herps and creepy crawly's didn't even get checked on. We just had new a/c installed in this sheet metal building which keeps it from reaching 120+ degrees during the day. I still keep all of the heating devices, i.e. lamps, rocks and mats, on so that it doesnt get too cold for everyone during the day. We have been turning the A/C off at night since they were kind enough to NOT install a thermostat but rather a light switch.
Long story short, the A/C got left on all weekend, including at night, and no one turned on the heating devices on the reptile cages, including my ig, as well as starving her. So, now I have a Royal Python with a respiratory infection, a Columbian Boa refusing to come out of hiding, and my ig....this is the point of the post. Whether this has anything to do with all of the factors I have provided, I would like to know if anyone knows whats going on. All of her scales, from the Temporal Lobes down to the Rostrum, has turned almost completely black accept for the inset lines in between each scale. It looks like almost a burn mixed with a bruise. She is in the middle of a shed, but I've never experienced this type of thing with any of the previous shed, on her, my personal ig, or our new male at work. I will try to remember to get some pics tomorrow. Can anyone help me diagnose this???

Clint

[Merlin]

It may be a reaction to cold. Iguanas will darken their coloration in order to soak up more heat from the sun even if it isn't available. If the coloration remains after she is warmed up good I would be concerned.

[Tesa]

I'm with Merlin. Probably no cause for alarm at this point.
Let's hope it doesn't get that way.
(Pics would be good)

Hey? How's Dudley? Did his tail stay attached?

[Dudley]

Well, naturally I forgot to get pictures, we had a flash flood for about 3 hours this afternoon and I was busy ruining my new work boots in 2 feet of water trying to keep our bears from drowning, fun.
Dudley is doing great, he's fat, and you can't even tell that his tail tried to detatch, no scar or anything. Though I'm still having a hard time taming him down, started putting a leash on him cuz I got tired of having to chase him across the living room while every woman in my house screamed while standing on the couches (like that'll save them).

Ok, anyways, her head is still like that, the temp on her basking shelf remained steady at 91 degrees throughout the day. I'm stumped, I WILL get pics tomorrow.

Clint

[URSULA]

Very dark head could be indicator for long term stress.Maybe other animals near iggy, strange sounds.....

[Tammy]

Along with a sign of illness it could also be an indicator of your igs mood over being left alone for so long. When Rex gets mad at us he will turn black in color too. I hope it's only a mood thing and not anything else. Good luck.