Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have started keeping my BTS on carefresh-type bedding, which he really seems to enjoy hiding in. However, it appears to be making his scales a bit dry. I've seen "snake oil" at petstores, made of grapeseed oil, to help with dry scales on reptiles. My dad used to oil his box turtle's shell & skin w/ cod liver oil. Are there any other oils that can be used to help w/ his dry scales? Do you think I could use something I already have around, like olive oil, to help his scales?
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1.1 Corn snakes Snake Plissken & Abby
1.1 Hog Island Boas Harley & Isaboa
1.3 leos, Yoda, Geo, Tang, Ginger
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink Indigo (Indy)
0.1.1 frogs Buffy the Cricket Slayer, Butrose Butrose Froggy
1.1.4 firebelly newts Wayne Newton, Isaac Newton, Fig Newton, Juice Newton, Olivia Newton John & Helmut Newton
1.1 cats Gus & Mena

I've never heard of skink oil but have had good success with moist sphagnum moss covering the substrate on one end of the enclosure. They then have the choice of being in the moist sphagnum or not. It really does help with dry scales and shedding.
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Hope this helps.

BigT

I would avoid the moss personally. The last thing you want is wet moss left to collect bacteria (no offense tattoo!) The reason your skink's scales are so dry is the low humidity, and carefresh can certainly absorb any humidity that might be in the air. I would maybe consider a large cigar humidifier. You can tape them right on the inside of your terrarium, and they come in all sizes. What it basically is, is a sponge enclosed in plastic with little holes to let the moisture out into the air. Just poor water through the little holes, and the sponge soaks it up! Then just stick it to the inside of your tank. Another idea would be to increase the size of your water bowl... Both will cost you next to nothing price wise...Either that, or you could buy an expensive humidifier.

Good luck!