Dry Scales

[Fortuitous]

Ok so it seems as though a moist hide is my best option here.

[Fortuitous]

I am currently working on a temporary moist hide, it will be composed of: a plastic storage container with a lid, a hole cut in the side for access, and damp paper towels for the inside. Do you think this will be sufficient for a temporary moist hide? My only concern is that it may have sharp edges around the entrance hole, though I could sand them down. Interesting El Lobo, I have never heard of anyone putting oils on a reptile before but it makes sense. If it comes to that what types of oils would work? I imagine something natural like 100 percent almond oil, or vitamin E fish oils would not be harmful.

[Richard.C]

any moisture retaining substrates would be fine inside,doesnt need to be sopping wet,as the container will hold humidity well inside

[El Lobo]

What you have described with the container and paper towels should be OK short term. The cut out could have some duct tape or electrical tape over any really rough spots. These measures though are only treating the symptoms not the cause. It will depend on how much humidity there usually is in the enclosure to combine with a suitable substrate which can vary significantly from location and sub-species. Bear in mind though that the underneath of a BTS will always seem a little drier than the rest of the body.

I use emu oil, mostly as a shedding aid for one of the blotchies who always fails to remove all her shed. I'm not sure as to availability in the US but I'm aware some of the Canadian members have been able to obtain it.

Just to briefly return to the soaking theory. It will achieve a temporary solution but it won't be a long term cure. I have been caring for 2 of my blotchies for 5 years and the other for 4 years. The 4 year one has been lightly soaked once in her time here and that was only because she was covered in clay soil when we first got her. Of the other 2 one, the male, has had a light soaking of his back legs on one occasion to remove resistant stuck on shed. The other female requires assistance with shedding almost each time she sheds. She has a soak for about 15 minutes in water that only covers her legs, where most of the stuck shed occurs. She doesn't like being put in water but as she has one of the gentlest-natures you could wish to meet, will tolerate. The other area of concern is around her mouth but she will allow us to rub all around the mouth and eye with only the occasional huff and never any attempt to bite. Rubbing her with emu oil a couple of hours before using water makes the job a lot easier.

[Susann]

I get Emu Gold oil at a store called Good Earth; it's a natural foods and herbs type of store.
You can also put some moss in a humid hide--it doesn't dry out as fast as paper towels, and seems to resist mold growth better.

[Kurt]

I agree with Susann, moss is a good option for keeping the humidity up and blueys like to bury in it. I actually put a layer of moss over all the substrate in the entire cage. Over time it dried out, but I spray it occasionally and it retains humidity for a long time.

Here's a link to a thread about using moss and humidity.
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=22950&hilit=Moss

[Jameswalker222000]

Hi,
I am not so professional in this field now but i know this very well that love for every creature is very important.