Reptile & Amphibian Forums

my rainbow boa has loose wrinkled skin, not like he is about to shed or anything but the actual skin, deeper than just the part that sheds. It came on fairly quickly. Anyone know what is going on? How to treat this condition?

Is he still eating?
Could he have parasites?
Proper temps?
Breeding?
If not breeding as an adult female anywhere around?

Loose skin with wrinkles typically would be a sign of weight loss. The question is why???

I see that every year with my breeding females but that's only when they drop their litters, significant weight loss = loose skin. Food always fixes them up but does take a little while.

>>my rainbow boa has loose wrinkled skin, not like he is about to shed or anything but the actual skin, deeper than just the part that sheds. It came on fairly quickly. Anyone know what is going on? How to treat this condition?
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

well it is very young so not of breeding age but is housed with its litter mate. It eats in a separate tank so I know it is eating and not the other eating it all. It is not the best eater but certainly not starving. I don't see any visible parasites but parasites could be possible (the other snake in the tank seems unaffected and very healthy) I will try and get a camera for pictures as soon as possible Thank you for your quick reply

Did they come from the same source? D'oh, you did say litter mate.

And what size is it? length or preferably grams. What size prey are you feeding it?

No soapbox here but this is a prime example of why it's better to house seperately. If there is something wrong, it could eventually affect both animals.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Loose wrinkled skin?
Loose?? Hmmm, not sure but like Dave said pictures would help.

Wrinkled?, as in wrinkled and dry? These snakes do fairly easily become dehydrated. If dehydrated with wrinkled skin the skin will feel dry and scratchy. Healthy properly hydrated snake will feel very smooth and have a slight oily sheen to the skin. Typical causes of dehydration are of course lack of drinking water source but also low humidity and high cage temperature and dry dessicating substrate. One other possibile cause for dehydration is parasites.
Jeff

>>my rainbow boa has loose wrinkled skin, not like he is about to shed or anything but the actual skin, deeper than just the part that sheds. It came on fairly quickly. Anyone know what is going on? How to treat this condition?

Was thinking dehydration too... give him a nice soak in luke warm water (75F) for twenty minutes. Put him in his own cage, make sure humidity is correct and fresh water is available at all times. It doesn't hurt with young BRB's to have a larger enough water bowl for soaking or a moist hide.

Pictures will be helpful. Weight and age too.
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PHLdyPayne

was dehydration. I have seen many baby BRB's look like what you describe from dehydration desication and it can come on pretty fast if they are not housed correctly.

Sean.
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1.1 BRB
1.1 Triple Het TPRS's
0.1 Silver TPRS
1.1 Amel Bloodred Corns
0.1 Abbott Okeetee Corn
0.1 Blizzard Bloodred Corn
1.1 Thayeri Kingsnakes
0.1 Reeve's Turtle
0.2 Amstaff's
1.0 Pudytat

Just thought I should clarify that the desicated baby BRB's I have seen were from pet stores or individuals who did not understand the care requirements for tropical species. I don't make it a habit of mumifying my pet's

Sean.
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1.1 BRB
1.1 Triple Het TPRS's
0.1 Silver TPRS
1.1 Amel Bloodred Corns
0.1 Abbott Okeetee Corn
0.1 Blizzard Bloodred Corn
1.1 Thayeri Kingsnakes
0.1 Reeve's Turtle
0.2 Amstaff's
1.0 Pudytat

Uh-oh, I already put in a call to the SPCA.

Just kidding, obviously. With the husbandry information only a click away on the web, hopefully there are less pet shops and people providing inadequate care these days.

Thanks,
Ed

>>Just thought I should clarify that the desicated baby BRB's I have seen were from pet stores or individuals who did not understand the care requirements for tropical species. I don't make it a habit of mumifying my pet's
>>
>>Sean.
>>-----
>>1.1 BRB
>>1.1 Triple Het TPRS's
>>0.1 Silver TPRS
>>1.1 Amel Bloodred Corns
>>0.1 Abbott Okeetee Corn
>>0.1 Blizzard Bloodred Corn
>>1.1 Thayeri Kingsnakes
>>0.1 Reeve's Turtle
>>0.2 Amstaff's
>>1.0 Pudytat

Ed,
...From what I see there are still plenty of people providing poor care for reptiles. Many of the people who decide to go into the animal business do not know very much about animal care or how to run a business. Their businesses are undercapitalized from the start and they do not hire enough quality help to care for their animals properly. This results in dirty cages and serious external parasite problems and sick animals. Snakes are great, people suck.
Jeff

>>Uh-oh, I already put in a call to the SPCA.
>>
>>Just kidding, obviously. With the husbandry information only a click away on the web, hopefully there are less pet shops and people providing inadequate care these days.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Ed
>>
>>>>Just thought I should clarify that the desicated baby BRB's I have seen were from pet stores or individuals who did not understand the care requirements for tropical species. I don't make it a habit of mumifying my pet's
>>>>
>>>>Sean.
>>>>-----
>>>>1.1 BRB
>>>>1.1 Triple Het TPRS's
>>>>0.1 Silver TPRS
>>>>1.1 Amel Bloodred Corns
>>>>0.1 Abbott Okeetee Corn
>>>>0.1 Blizzard Bloodred Corn
>>>>1.1 Thayeri Kingsnakes
>>>>0.1 Reeve's Turtle
>>>>0.2 Amstaff's
>>>>1.0 Pudytat