Adult corn reddened tail

mostlywater · 10-24-18, 01:24 PM

I got an adult Corn about a month ago, named him Friend

I just noticed today that he has red spots on his tail almost like missing scales. Attached a pic. There's a bit of clear shed (?) sticking off of his tail too.

background info:
He is getting misty and I think will be shedding soon. He's been burrowing a lot as well, maybe because it's gotten colder in my house (he has a warm hide at 84F but at night the rest of his home may get down to 50F) or maybe because his home was too small. I just switched him to a 40gal from a 20gal. He's burrowing around the 40gal too, though. Just want to know if this is normal ok or if I should visit the vet.

Thanks!

**EL Ziggy** · 10-25-18, 12:00 PM

You'll probably want to get those colder temps up a bit. I still try to keep my colubrids around 70 during the winter.

craigafrechette · 10-25-18, 01:00 PM

Yowsers, those cool side temps need to come up. With Kings and corns I have always stayed above 70.

**Andy_G** · 10-25-18, 01:09 PM

I wish I could see the pic to help out, but I can not. What I can tell you is that red spots or blotches can mean many things. Anything from something as harmless as an upcoming shed to something as severe as septicemia which is fatal if not treated appropriately and agressively. The fact that the temps dip so low, accompanied by the shed that is still on the tail (which should never be left on) concerns me. Without a proper visual to see what you're talking about, I would suggest consulting a competent reptile vet to be safe so make an appointment when you can. I also agree with the other members when they state that those temps are too cool. You may want to get a ceramic heat emitter that can be left on 24/7 to help keep the temps above 70.

mostlywater · 10-25-18, 04:01 PM

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

Dunno why the pictures don't show, here's a second try:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/KLW4S9QBJHYYekUv8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/p9vshnTHqUwiPoTC6

He normally has a heat lamp making things warmer during the day and just a lil uth during night. But I'll look at the ceramic heaters and work on getting the temperature up during the night.