Reptile & Amphibian Forums

j/ acquired what appears to be a reasonably fat healthy BT. prob is, there is an accumulation of old shed and scale build up in his ears, its clogged. tweezers are nerve racking to try and work out with. any suggestions how to clean out this poor buggers ears?
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2 tham radix
1 Chicago Tham s. semifasciatus
2 elaphe vulpina
1 gray tiger sallie
4 Aphonopelma hentzi
2 G rosea
1 Haplo minax

First off, soak your BTS for 15-30 min, splash some water onto the head. This is to loosen it up if possible. Then use your fingers to pick at it outside the ear, don't go into it. See if there's any loose bits that you can grip. If this doesn't work, wait for the skink to shed, and try to get the old shed out with the new shed. Keep in mind there is always an ear sac inside the ear, so if that's what's bugging you, leave it alone. It's thin, clear, and deeper in the ear.

Best BTS site is www.bluetongueskinks.net, although www.seikereptiles.com also has a forum with many experts.

For more help, e-mail me at melanie@manitobaherp.com. Send photos if possible. I've had skinks with stuck shed, so I hope I can help.

Melanie Pratt

i have been soaking the skink. not a close up of the ears, but you can see the dark-brown old scale accumulation. Thanks for the advice.

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2 tham radix
1 Chicago Tham s. semifasciatus
2 elaphe vulpina
1 gray tiger sallie
4 Aphonopelma hentzi
2 G rosea
1 Haplo minax