[Zoodulcis]

I was hoping that was the case! There is much research to show that caring for any pet in childhood creates a more empathic adult in later years. And that has to be a good thing!

[Zoodulcis]

A few ways to lessen the intensity of the effect, not the bulb.

1. Place a light screening material that is heatproof over the top of the enclosure, like a light metal window screen, and do nothing else. Remove after 2 weeks.

2. Raise the bulb up 18 inches if possible and then lower it a few inches at a time once a week back to it’s old position. Be sure to do this whenever you replace the bulb.

3. Lower the basking spots.

You have already done #3, so steps 1 and 2 are options. Honestly, with corrective measures, his skin will heal. It’s damage to his eyes that you need to be concerned with now. He seems a light morph, so option #1 may be the best course of action for now.

In the meantime, research bulbs and determine if you really, really have to have the one that is there now. A weaker one may be better.

[Zoodulcis]

I agree that they look like burns. Neosporin may help healing. In the meantime, have you changed the height of the lamp recently or rearranged the furniture at all? Have you changed bulbs recently? New bulbs can sometimes be so much more intense than the old ones that they cause injury. They weaken after about 30 days, but at first are more intense, even though they seem about the same to the owners.

[Zoodulcis]

How long have you had her? And that is an unusual looking acorn, at least to me in the Rocky Mountain west. What part of the country do you live in?

[Zoodulcis]

This gets my vote for cutest picture this month so far. Have they always been this friendly with each other?

[Zoodulcis]

He looks pretty chill. Did you get him specifically for your daughter, or is he more of a whole family pet?

[Zoodulcis]

Old falconers trick. They use hoods, but there are many other ways to simulate that effect!

[Zoodulcis]

AB’s advice is excellent. I would add one more initial step. Cover the cage for an entire day, so that stressful sights are blocked from view. This will allow the stress hormones produced in a fight or flight situation to diminish. Make sure the cover used is very lightweight so that it doesn’t raise the temperature inside the tank too high. Then, the next day, get a good book or your Kindle and sit next to him reading quietly, eyes down on the medium you are reading. No phone, no noises, no staring at him, no hand gestures. Make sure he can see you clearly through the glass of the partially lifted cover. Do this for an hour, then lower the cover and let him think on this. Next day two hours, next day three. On day four, remove the cover. Let him get used to fully viewing the activity in the room for a week. Do not approach the tank and ask other family members not to as well.

Only when you can stand by his tank with no flight response from him/her should you place your hand inside the tank. Patience is absolutely key in this process.

[Zoodulcis]

Just wait. Relocation from the store to your home is stressful and some snakes react badly. Don’t fuss with him, handle him in anyway or disturb him for another week. Then try a whole pinkie again if it is not too big for his head. Did the pet store offer him 1/2 a pinkie? If so, how did they present it? Good to know for next week. So double and triple check all environmental parameters such as temperature and humidity, then be patient and leave him/her totally alone for at least the next 7 days.

[Zoodulcis]

From the photo it seems like a strong possibility. If it were me, I would completely sterilize the enclosure, and check all temperatures throughout the tank. Also, could high humidity be a problem? If so, back off the humidity until you are certain that shedding is about to occur.

These actions may prevent the infection from spreading. While waiting for the next molt to take place, I would apply (very gently) Neosporin daily, or provide your snake with a Betadine bath. Three parts water to one part Betadine should be safe.

If after all of that is done yet the infection seems to be spreading, you may need to remove furniture items that have rough surfaces. Following that, if the infection spread seems halted, I would replace all furniture with smooth rock cobbles to prevent future abrasions that may have provided a pathway for bacterial infection to occur.

[Zoodulcis]

It’s adorable and very color coordinated. How old is the Queen?

[Zoodulcis]

Oh now that is rich! What is that thing on her head?

[Zoodulcis]

Centipedes have a very poisonous bite. Millipedes exude hydrochloric acid as a defense. Very irritating the skin, not to mention the inside of an animal’s mouth. Best to keep both kinds of beasties far away from your pets.

[Zoodulcis]

So cute! Love the enclosure set-up. Lot’s of climbable and loungable space while also easy to clean. How old is she?

[Zoodulcis]

Congratulations! You can begin the learning process right here at Critter Depot. Find the Care Guide for Leopard Geckos and read that while waiting for the book. And since no one single care quide can answer all questions a new owner may have, post those questions here and I generally will get back to you within 24 hours.

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