hey...i've had two res for a year and a half (both rescues), and as far as i know they've never shed their scutes. i give them a variety of food- reptomin, mazuri, and repcal pellets, algae wafers, anacharis, carrots, zucchini, romaine, apples, other fruits and veggies, cuttlebone, and (rarely) ghost shrimp, guppies, and baby snails. they get a new reptisun 5.0 every 6-8 months, have heated water, a warm basking area that they both use, and two filters. they're only in a 30 gallon tank right now, but i'm buying at least a 75 in the the next couple weeks. when they get algae build up on their shells, i use a soft bristle toothbrush to remove it, but the scutes don't move. they've more than doubled in size since i got them, so i'm just getting worried about them not shedding. i had a painted a few years ago, and she shed every few months. my guys seem pretty healthy as far as i can tell. they have excellent appetites, are super active, bask regularly, defecate normally, etc. when it's warm out i set up a kiddie pool in the backyard so they can get some natural sunlight and more exercise. i don't know what i'm doing wrong (other than the small tank, which i'm changing soon, and clean A LOT to make up for it). i know they got terrible care as hatchlings, but i got them when they were still tiny, so i don't think they were in those conditions for too long, and now they're big with nice hard shells. is it a problem for the scutes to keep building up? is there something i should do? sorry for the long post, just wanted to give as much background as possible. PLEASE help!
Reptile & Amphibian Forums
Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.
please help! not shedding! (long)
Replies (1)
Well, in 5 years I have never seen my guy's shed a single scute. I have noticed them in the bottom of the tank while I was cleaning it, but only a few times.
I wouldn't worry about it, as long as they are growing and healthy they are fine.
-----
A mans got to do what a mans got to do. A woman has to do what he can't.
Mom to:
1 little boy born 7/19/04
2 male RES, born 1999
1 ribbon snake, age unknown
3 FBT, ages unknown
1 female bearded dragon, born 5/2002
1 male lab mix, born 5/24/03
1 female calico cat, born 6/7/04
____
sig file edited 1/29/05 [phw]
