BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

I recently noticed when I go to pick up my skink I could feel his belly scales easily come up, like it feels like if they are peeling but he's not in shed. It used to be smooth and sturdy and now it's a bit strange. It also happens when I touch him on the ground not when picking him up. Another problem I've probably discussed is when he finishes his daily exercise I would put him into his enclosure he would go to the glass and start aggressively rub his nose, he's got a little scar. I've told my reptile vet and she says to keep kicking him up everyday. I've been doing this for about a month now and it's the same all the time.

your substrate could be too dry. Mine had that same problem. All you have to do is spray the substrate, mix it and done. Do it daily until his belly feels silky smooth.

Agree with above post. When I began keeping Northerns I was told I could use aspen. I'm allergic to it but tried anyway, and it proved to be too dry for them. I've since changed substrate and no more dry scales or shedding problems. When I tried to dampen it, I got mold. Save the aspen for rodents. Repti-bark, cypress mulch, coco husk or combination thereof is what I have been using for Northerns/Easterns with no issues whatsoever.

Basically same info as above but TC Houston/reptile mountain posted a video about this:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLt9eU ... k_ImBu59nE

Aspen seems to sap the moisture out of everything it comes in contact with. If your skink is lying on it it'll cause problems on the belly. Give your skink a moist hide if it doesn't have one already, and try misting the aspen + enclosure. You could also switch off aspen to a more moisture-retaining substrate.

Aspen is terrible. I tried misting it and got mold. Heat lamps and aspen just make a dust bowl. My guys hardly even 'sneeze' anymore since I switched, except when they go head first into their food!