BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

My bluey has lifted scales around the underside of his head, all down his belly and on the underside of his tail. He just finished shedding a few weeks ago so I don't think that could be the reason. The scales are really rough and scratchy and sort of lift up and face the opposite way...At first I thought it was lack of humidity, but I even misted the sides of the tank and the scales stayed the same. They've been like this for a few days now and I'm starting to get a little concerned...Here's some pictures of what it looks like...my camera really sucks and I was trying to hold him and take pictures so I'm sorry if they are blurry. Should I take him to the vet? Also, if it matters, he's on Aspen substrate....

Thanks so much!

Sorry mate, I cant watch youtube at work, and I cant tell from the ones posted,stick around and you'll have an answer by tonight from at least one person.

i couldnt tell the lighting was bad i would worry about mites with lifted scales. I am not a professional but once you have seen them you know. check and see if it looks like anything is under the scale just dont lift them your self, also if its only on the underside he might have got caught in a tight place somewhere and had to back out, anyways just my thoughts

Do the scales feel really dry underneath? I've had this happen before, and I can't explain it. I haven't been able to correlate it to either diet, humidity, or shed. One shed the belly will be rough and by the next, it will be smooth again. I wouldn't worry too much unless you see any crusting, bleeding, or discoloration.

I"ve seen this on mine before....it came and went. Had he been soaking in his water frequently?

Hate to resurrect a semi-old thread, but Ping now has the dry scales going on too! He just shed. It started closer to his front legs, and is now all down his belly. Like Zach suggested, he HAS been in his water more often -- I have webcam shots of him standing in there during his jailbreak attempts. So it just comes and goes? I'll start by moving the dish. I've not known him to lay in it before recent times.

Pryce also has the dry belly right now. I don't know if he's been spending more time in the water, not that I've seen at least. I'm just waiting for the next shed to hope it goes away.

I had this happen with most of my guys.

Basically what i noticed was that even after a shed, they would still be dry and llok as though they were going to shead again (clear tips to the underbelly scales). Well, sure enough, I soaked them for an hour or so for a couple of days after the first shed, and they shed again. I even had one of my guys shed 3 times within 3 weeks. I was a tad perplexed, but they are pretty cool at the moment. Only one of my guys is somewhat dry, but the scales haven't lifeted yet, so eh - no biggy.

I Hope that helps.

This is totally happening with riff-Raff right now as well! It's the weirdest thing, I can't explain it. It feels so scratchy and weird!

I would suggest a humid hide for any dry scale related problems.

Thanks for all the help everyone!!!

I've been soaking Lex every other day and his scales are getting better...I think its just because it has been so dry here in Colorado lately. I also bought a humidifier for my room so we'll see if that helps any too..


Thanks again!

Oh, huh. I must have misread Zach's post, because I took it to mean that too much time in the water dish could actually be causing it. Humid hide it is then.

I have the problem with mine recently. The colour seems to be red (it was like this for a long time before the scales lifting) and Im not too sure of the problem

Some skinks bellies are a pinkish red naturally like IJ's , what kind do you have Woddle?

Hijinksdont bother if you haven't got a problem, as too much humidity can cause breathing issues.

I wouldn't soak all the time personally. Humid hides are much better than just submersing him in water for a supposed quick fix, and if you're going to use a humidifier, I'd get a reliable digital probe/gauge to know exactly how humid it is getting. Rooms are enclosed and humidity could get too high!

Zach wrote:I wouldn't soak all the time personally. Humid hides are much better than just submersing him in water for a supposed quick fix

I agree. Just think of the role of a humid hide in terms of hydroregulation: the humid hide is homologous to a basking spot in thermoregulation.

[quote="Leigh"]Some skinks bellies are a pinkish red naturally like IJ's , what kind do you have Woddle?

I have an eastern. It was red for a long time now though