Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just bought him from a private owner, who's story was that he had him in a big cage and then had to move out. When I got to him, he was livin in a 36" x 18" x 24" box with a screen top. There was no rough material in the cage nor did I see any obvious heating elements. He is very alert, full bodied, no signs of malnourishment or mites/ticks. He's very tame and takes well to being handled. His only issue right now seems to be his shedding. He's got a full layer that needs to shed in addition to a double layer in places, mostly around the toes and such. I've soaked him both days since I've gotten him with little improvement yet. I realize it will take some time for the sheds to happen but am nervous about the ill effects thus far and what I can better do to help. Right now he's in a 4' x 2' x 2' with cypress mulch and multiple branches & hide spots, plus fresh water. I've been keeping the humidity high to help promote the shed as well. Daytime temps I'm keepin around 85-90, with bask spot at 120 . Cage temps vary during the day some, as a large window in the room does allow heat to rise. (room is reptile dedicated). Temps are all taken with an infrared temp gun. I do realize that this caging is still inadequate and plans are in place for a much larger, more upright cage to be built for him, but I got him on short notice and was not able to prepare a proper home for him. Any advice on what I can do would be great! thanks,

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Chris
1.0.0 Columbian Boa
1.0.0 Columbian x Hogg Island Boa
0.1.0 Argentine Rainbow Boa
1?.1?.0 Bearded Dragons
0.0.1 Black Throat Monitor
0.1.0 Black Rough-neck monitor

MAN, that's a beautiful animal!!!

Sounds like you're doing the right stuff- maybe someone else has a novel idea.
Like my mom used to say..."If you keep picking at it, it will never heal" LOL

Sounds like your on the right track,I would suggest using a "moss box" i.e a rubbermaid of appropriate size with a mix of dirt and sand covered with a heavy layer of spagnum moss kept very wet.I use these for my roughnecks and they have helped me with shedding problems.
Another great tool for solving stuck shed issues is "silvadene" ( sp?) cream, used for burns on people, you will have to get it from your vet or doctor.I have used this cream for shedding and skin problems on black roughnecks with great result.
Best of luck to you.
Ben

thanks for the advice, it is much appreciated! nice lookin guy there, is that a crayfish in his mouth??
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Chris
1.0.0 Columbian Boa
1.0.0 Columbian x Hogg Island Boa
0.1.0 Argentine Rainbow Boa
1?.1?.0 Bearded Dragons
0.0.1 Black Throat Monitor
0.1.0 Black Rough-neck monitor

yup, I feed my roughnecks almost exclusively shellfish,it's cheap and they thrive on it.
Cheers

wow, awesome pic! You must be in the south? I live in CA and shellfish aren't too cheap here. . . Mine wasnt too crazy about fuzzies, the prev. owner was doing mainly cockroaches (which I have ordered) tho he did enjoy the crickets.
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Chris
1.0.0 Columbian Boa
1.0.0 Columbian x Hogg Island Boa
0.1.0 Argentine Rainbow Boa
1?.1?.0 Bearded Dragons
0.0.1 Black Throat Monitor
0.1.0 Black Rough-neck monitor

I also live in Ca, and am always perplexed when people say that crawfish are expensive.I buy mine here(Sacramento) during crawfish season- March thru Sept for $4 a lb.
If I need them out of season I order them from La and they are shipped to my door for less than $5 a lb.
What does a lb of mice cost you?
Cheers,
Ben

LOL, I guess that goes to show the stereotypes and common misperceptions I carry! I also live in Sac (though my excuse is I just moved here from Seattle) Where are you buying your crawfish at?? Frozen or live? And where did you buy your roughneck from?
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Chris
1.0.0 Columbian Boa
1.0.0 Columbian x Hogg Island Boa
0.1.0 Argentine Rainbow Boa
1?.1?.0 Bearded Dragons
0.0.1 Black Throat Monitor
0.1.0 Black Rough-neck monitor

I get my crawfish live, all up and down the delta, follow any of the rivers(Sacramento,American) out of town and start looking for bait shops.If all else fails try the town of Isleton,they will not let you down,heck they even have a crawfish " festival" every year.
The first pic was of a male that was bred by Nick Freer in '98 that I got when he was orange headed.The second pic was of a female bred by Mike fost at Zoo Atlanta in '94 that I aquired in '96, she is the mom of the last clutch I hatched on 11/25/05.
Welcome to Sacto
Ben