Scale conditioner?

[Arachnaeoccult]

I heard someone using 'scale conditioner' on their snake as a relaxing massage that helps a snake mellow out and says they use it as a bonding method. I don't know the name of any scale conditioners so I'm asking here what others use.

[AZretic]

Uhhhh sorry I can't tell if your joking....this has to be a joke right? Scale conditioner, relaxing massage. This is a snake. Make sure the temps are right, cage is big enough. And secure. Feed it once every 7-10 days and handle in between. That's what calls them down

[Andy_G]

This is not a thing.

[pitontheprowl]

LMAO!!!!!
Really

[lady_bug87]

I'm going to wait patiently for an explanation.

But no. There should not be any such thing. If you want to 'mellow out' your animals try leaving them alone.

[Klaire]

Oh jeez this makes me cringe, they should not be putting anything on the snake and "massaging" it but since they are i hope whatever they are putting on the snake isn't harmful and free of fragrances, toxic ingredients etc

[murrindindi]

Hi, it`s CLEARLY a fake!!! I myself do use a scale polish, you need to apply a small amount to each individual scale, buff up with a soft, lint free cloth, I can assure you all that by the time you`ve finished both the snake and yourself will be fast asleep, it`s soooooo relaxing.... I must make it clear that I wouldn`t joke about a thing like this, honest I wouldn`t, honest.... ;)

[lady_bug87]

Hi, it`s CLEARLY a fake!!! I myself do use a scale polish, you need to apply a small amount to each individual scale, buff up with a soft, lint free cloth, I can assure you all that by the time you`ve finished both the snake and yourself will be fast asleep, it`s soooooo relaxing.... I must make it clear that I wouldn`t joke about a thing like this, honest I wouldn`t, honest.... ;)

Mineral oil cocktail? Hell ya!

[Tiny Boidae]

I looked into it a little to see what you were talking about, and all I found was an alleged product used to help a snake shed, although no actual link to it. If a snake doesn't already trust you, I'm fairly certain that rubbing a cold cream around its scales isn't going to help. You've got many years with this animal ahead of you, so relax and just give the animal some time. Try socializing with it on its pace, just taking slow baby steps to get it to come around. No massage or fancy product can replicate that quite as well. So good luck with your snake :)

[lady_bug87]

I looked into it a little to see what you were talking about, and all I found was an alleged product used to help a snake shed, although no actual link to it. If a snake doesn't already trust you, I'm fairly certain that rubbing a cold cream around its scales isn't going to help. You've got many years with this animal ahead of you, so relax and just give the animal some time. Try socializing with it on its pace, just taking slow baby steps to get it to come around. No massage or fancy product can replicate that quite as well. So good luck with your snake :)

You're talking about shedeze or whatever. That stuff is malarkey too

[prairiepanda]

You're talking about shedeze or whatever. That stuff is malarkey too

Shed Ease is pretty lame; it's just an aloe vera and salt solution with some preservatives. Might be okay as a soothing ointment for mostly healed burns or something, but as a shedding aid won't really do anything.

A similar product from Zoo Med called "Repti Shedding Aid" is much better formulated and comes in a spray form rather than a soak. It's quite effective at softening the skin, and works wonders at removing stuck shed. However, a simple soak in water is nearly as effective :p

That aside, I'd think a massage with the stuff would just cause more stress rather than relaxation. As lady_bug noted, the best way to get a snake to relax and de-stress is to leave them alone.

[Arachnaeoccult]

My BP has no trust issues whatsoever and hasn't even hissed.

I'm still upset I let the wild cornsnake wander away. I need another snake to empty the gap now and buying a cornsnake at the store won't do it for me...

[sirtalis]

My BP has no trust issues whatsoever and hasn't even hissed.

I'm still upset I let the wild cornsnake wander away. I need another snake to empty the gap now and buying a cornsnake at the store won't do it for me...

wait... what? Why is a captive bred corn worse than a wc :suspicious:

[Tiny Boidae]

wait... what? Why is a captive bred corn worse than a wc :suspicious:

I think it's more of him saying that a new corn won't replace the one he lost... On the more emotional side of things.

If you buy a new snake looking to fill the gap of an animal you lost, then you're probably going to end up disappointed and with an animal you don't necessarily want, and that's not fair to the new snake. You did the right thing, the corn belongs in the wild where it was born and that's where it needs to stay, but I understand it can hurt when you get attached to these animals (albeit it's a one-sided relationship, which might help a little in knowing you caused him/her no emotional pain). Just give it some time and if you think you want another corn (a captive bred corn), not to replace Mars but to be an independent entity in your life, then that's why and when you should get another :)

[Arachnaeoccult]

I think it's more of him saying that a new corn won't replace the one he lost... On the more emotional side of things.

If you buy a new snake looking to fill the gap of an animal you lost, then you're probably going to end up disappointed and with an animal you don't necessarily want, and that's not fair to the new snake. You did the right thing, the corn belongs in the wild where it was born and that's where it needs to stay, but I understand it can hurt when you get attached to these animals (albeit it's a one-sided relationship, which might help a little in knowing you caused him/her no emotional pain). Just give it some time and if you think you want another corn (a captive bred corn), not to replace Mars but to be an independent entity in your life, then that's why and when you should get another :)

I'm thinking about a gray one.

In the summer since the humidity in the room SKYROCKETS and this is florida I'm not sure that I'll need to immediately buy heaters (of which I have 2 extras already and using 1 to warm up my forest scorpion). Knowing how florida works Summer should start in Spring.






The problem I see in the long run is my options for species are slim. I dropped out of community college due to anxiety issues and being on disability I receive a check that gives me enough to pay rent, enough to buy things I want/need and than be broke all month. I usually smoke it all, but most months I make sure to dedicate 50-75 dollars to buying things I want whether its stuff off amazon or something I need for my animals. Its not an issue to support the many animals I have. My tarantulas probably cost me an entire 10 dollars a year each, and I could buy a years worth of frozen rats for Mary Jane. My problem with being a dedicated exotics owner is that I can't afford the pricey 300-500 dollar snakes that are so pretty. Thats why I work around as much complex enclosure setup as I can. When I feel the need I DO buy bedding, hides, heaters etc. I get a set amount of money a month and unless I want complete misery and boredom, I don't make enough to 'save'. I just have the assurance that SSI is cyclical and eternal.

I'm trying to start working (through EmployU agency) because this isn't big boy money to me anymore. I'm only 21 and when people condemn me for 'being a leech' I just feel sorry for the fact that they would quit their jobs and become a social security slug in a heartbeat just because its 'free'. I'm the opposite, I want to get out of this SSI curse thats destroyed my self esteem and limited everything from socialization to actually being financially secure. Its not security its a prison that keeps bills payed and thats it. 720 a month plus some food stamps is a joke in the real world. The only way I can fathom getting all my precious children together is by knowing a breeder. I at least live alone in my own efficiency and keep it clean and aesthetically pleasing which is more than most 21 year olds can say.

I can pay 100, I can bay 120, sometimes 150, for something I want or need, but beyond that I'm impoverished.

[IW17]

In your financial situation, you should hold off on buying anything imo. Could you afford to take a sick animal to the vet to get the help it needs? How about two animals? Not trying to bust your chops, just being honest.

[Arachnaeoccult]

In your financial situation, you should hold off on buying anything imo. Could you afford to take a sick animal to the vet to get the help it needs? How about two animals? Not trying to bust your chops, just being honest.

For a visit of $100 or $120 it would break me but its feasable and my stepdad might help too.

[prairiepanda]

For a visit of $100 or $120 it would break me but its feasable and my stepdad might help too.

FYI, vets tend to charge more for reptiles than for dogs or cats. I've seen cases where reptile veterinary care exceeded $1000 even without any surgery involved; that's just for testing, medications, and checkups. It's not typical, sure, but it is something that you should be prepared for as a pet owner. I keep at least $500 aside in my savings for veterinary services, and have a spare $2000 credit card in case vet expenses exceed that before I can replace my savings. If that's still not enough, then I can call "the Bank of Mom and Dad," or dip into savings that I have for other things, or sell stuff. I have a cat with early kidney disease and several reptiles, so these resources are very important to me.

[Minkness]

All valid points. One of my rescues, who was free to me, still cost a pretty penny in vet bills as he had pneumonia, not just a typical RI x.x

Vet bills are very important if you want to keep an animal long term. Seeing as how many snakes can live up to 30 years (some less, some more) it is imperative to have the means or connections to dedicate to each animal should the need arise.

I have a small savings, credit card, and a wonderful mom to help me should I need it, but I also have a relationship with my reptile vet now that I didn't before, and since I do have so many, I get a break on group visits for check ups. So if ine is sick, I can bring 5 others along to make sure they aren't all sick. (Which has happened). Not to say that every vet is like that, and he wasn't when I first started going. I was orriginally charged for each snake I brought to him. And believe me, I paid for each one too @_@

[prairiepanda]

Yes, having a good relationship with the vet helps a lot too. My vet offers a senior's discount for cats and dogs. My cat is 16 so she gets the discount, and recently they started applying my cat's discount to the snakes too which helps a lot. We're regulars there and they know I'm a student so they do what they can.

[macandchz]

i never heard of a scale conditioner but i use zoo med shedding aid before his sheds and he seems to like it. i use it in between shed to keep him nice and soft. he's very tame anyway.

[macandchz]

hello to everyone! i think my snake knows more about computers than me so i apologize for all the mistakes i've made posting. can't wait to talk to all you great snake lovers! macand chz.