substrate in ears

[copper]

i didn't find threads about this topic to help me so i'm asking advice.

today i noticed Pihka has some substrate stuck in her ears, how serious problem is this? i'll wait and see for few days if the substrate pieces will come off on their own, but if not, how should i proceed?
the substrate i use is aspen chips, almost dust free.

thank you guys in advance!

[Kurt]

i used to have the same problem. i was worried about it so i would tip my bluey to the side and they would fall out. after doing that a few times, i saw him doing it on his own and since then i just let him take care of it. i'd say you could try the tipping method if you wanted. don't shake or anything, just let the loose stuff fall out. but i wouldn't recommend trying to stick anything in there to pull it out.

[Zach]

Are we talking just a few pieces here and there dropping in? I've had emails of folks claiming that their bluey's ears were stuffed full of subtrate -- turn out it was mites!

Blueys are terrestrial burrowers by nature, so particles and debris are always falling into their ears -- when they shed, you'll notice that little bag that pops out filled with anything and everything that has fallen into their ears -- this is less common seen in captivity, but is way cool how nature takes care of itself.

[copper]

Are we talking just a few pieces here and there dropping in? I've had emails of folks claiming that their bluey's ears were stuffed full of subtrate -- turn out it was mites!

just few pieces, no mites.

good to hear this is not too serious problem!

[JR]

I think my Tanimbar has the same aspen (Mörtti-Röpö) as your BTS? When I see aspen piece in my skink's ear, I pick him up and tip him over left or right - he doesn't even feel insecure, cause he's really used to being handled. If that doesn't help, I lure him to look up by wiggling a cricket Usually that does the trick. If not, I let him chew on the cricket - the ears and jaws move when skink eats. That helps too.

[copper]

I think my Tanimbar has the same aspen (Mörtti-Röpö) as your BTS? When I see aspen piece in my skink's ear, I pick him up and tip him over left or right - he doesn't even feel insecure, cause he's really used to being handled. If that doesn't help, I lure him to look up by wiggling a cricket Usually that does the trick. If not, I let him chew on the cricket - the ears and jaws move when skink eats. That helps too.

yup, mörtti-röpö is the substrate i use. thanks for the tips, i think i'll try them right away!