I usueall allow them to run through my hands. i feel for rough or odd feeling spots. i check there belly, as well and there general shape (if they appear lumpy or dehydrated) check for mites obviously on occasion, but if you practice good husbandry you should have ot worry about them on a established pet.

i also check inside my boys mouth a few days after every feed. just to make sure its nice and light pink. no debris or other stuff that shouldn't be in there.

what i found works best is your plain old thumb to get in there mouth. OR if your feeling a lil uneasy about that. a medical tongue depressor works great i grabbed about 25 last time i was at the doc's

You should be inspecting after every shed for scales that have been pulled away from the skin and eye caps of course.

nothing beats a gold ol' visual checkup.