Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all, only have one hoggie so I rarely post here (like once) but I'm a little concerned about my hog. He's a young dark morph adult about 3 foot plus and seems really healthy except for his skin seems really dry and dull with very little shine.

Is this typical? I live in coastal SoCal and humidity here is usually around 50%. He has a big soaking bowl that he used to use more often but he hasn't soaked lately. I keep him on shredded aspen and he eats f/t adult mice.

Any help, suggestions appreciated.

Thanks,
Brad

A humid hide box will work wonders. I like to put rem in all of snakes cages and even have sand boas that use them regularly. Give it a try and see how your snakes like them. Good luck with the hoggie.
-----
Please don't talk about snake prices when my wife is around!!

Thanks, I'll try that. Although, he did used to soak and still has the opportunity of course, but he doesn't? Seems like if he needed that he'd do it.

Do Easterns typically have dryish skin?

Do you have a screen lid on the enclosure? They tend to dehydrate snakes as well.

What do you mean by dry skin exactly?
-----
Please don't talk about snake prices when my wife is around!!

Yep, screened lid, but I do give him rain now and then. I'll set up a moist hide today.

As for the "dry skin"...aside from his neck and face there is no luster and the scale edges and skin between appear sort of crusty whitish and dry looking.

Pictures worth a 1000 words. Notice the folding of skin at the bend.

Thanks much for the help.

Brad

When you make the humid hide box make sure you cut the hole in the side of it. It will hold the humidty much better that way. Your welcome for the help.
-----
Please don't talk about snake prices when my wife is around!!

Get this, got the hide fixed up - tupperware with hole in side and wet most in... and the bonehead doesn't use it. Sometimes snakes drive me nuts Maybe he's just normal like that. Humidity in the room is typically 50-60%.