Dried out?

brylecc1989 · 06-03-11, 07:37 AM

Hey everyone. I've owned my baby banana king for about 3 weeks now. He is very calm and awesome snake. He has eaten twice, pooped twice, and shed since ive had him. I currently have no heat on hmi because my apartment is tpically around 80 degrees where he is at. Yesterday i got him out and his skin seemed exceedingly dry to me. He didn't have that sheen he usually has, and he seemed so dry that his scales seemed to be slightly spread out, like i could see his pink skin a little bit in between them. He was acting fine, exploring abuot and didn't appear to be in any pain. He is on a substrate of aspen chips (recommended by the man who sold him to me) and has a sufficient waterbowl for him to soak in as well as a hide. After feeling him yesterday i misted the crap out of him and his cage and let him be for the night. This morning he was maybe a fraction better but still dry in my opinion. My only comparison is my python, who has never been this dry. Is this common with kingsnakes? Anybody know what this can be or had it happen before? I misted him again this morning before work. Ill update you guys when i get home but in the meantime, HELP! I love this little guy and want him to be healthyyy.

P.S. careful examination resulted in no ticks or sores found on the body, and the cloaca has no discharge and does not appear to be inflamed.

stephanbakir · 06-03-11, 07:41 AM

Whats the humidity inside the terrarium?

brylecc1989 · 06-03-11, 07:46 AM

The humidity is that of the surroundings, usually hovering between 40 and 60%. I was told kings have no specific humidity requirements.

Ch^4 · 06-03-11, 08:50 AM

40-60% is more than ample for a banana kingsnake.

He might be going into his shed cycle. Just leave him be for a few days. If he becomes somewhat inactive, he is likely going into shed. You can't judge if a snake is dry by touch.

My kingsnake will only bathe if he is warm, he never has humidity issues and the relative humidity in my place is ~30-50%. Sheds perfectly every time.

brylecc1989 · 06-03-11, 09:14 AM

Thanks for the input. The only thing that makes me doubt that assessment is that she shed about a week ago. Is it possible for her to shed again that fast? He is young and growing rapidly. And if its not "dryness" im feeling, any idea what it could be? Its hard to explain the symptoms because they are all suddle, but definitely there. I handle ehr everyday and yesterday she was jsut not as smooth or shiny, but her eyes have not went blue. Has this ever happened to your king?