Reptile Shedding 101: Your Pet’s Skin Care Routine Explained

To Shed or Not to Shed

“Stuck shed” refers to patches of old skin that haven’t come off after a normal shedding period. Some reasons for stuck shed can include the environment (i.e., the temperature and humidity of a terrarium), diet or an infectious disease. If it isn’t properly addressed, stuck shed can lead to infections or other serious health problems.

 

Stuck shed wrapped around the tip of a snake’s tail can prevent blood from flowing into their tail tip, causing the snake to lose their tip. With lizards, stuck shed can constrict blood flow in areas such as toes, tail or dorsal spines and cause a loss of these appendages. And as tempting as it is, try not to yank or rip off pieces of old skin. This can do some serious damage to a reptile’s skin.

 

 

There’s No Place Like a Shedding-Friendly Home

Many shedding issues can be traced back to a reptile’s home. More specifically, the enclosure’s temperature and humidity levels probably aren’t ideal for that species of reptile. A terrarium thermometer and hygrometer can help you make conditions just right. In addition, a fogger or misting system can also help with humidity.

 

Reptiles should also have rough materials in their enclosure to rub against to help remove old skin. These materials include decorative branches, rocks, slates and vines. A reptile hideout, also known as a “hide,” are another good idea for a terrarium, especially hides designed to maintain higher levels of humidity (i.e., humidity hides). Last but not least, use moisture-absorbing substrates (e.g., coconut husk, cypress mulch, sphagnum moss) to control humidity levels. All these products are available at Pet Supplies Plus.

 

 

Getting Stuck Shed Unstuck

For your convenience, we created this shedding help guide for the more popular species of pet reptiles. This information is meant only for minor cases of stuck shed. For your pet’s safety, we strongly recommend adding dechlorinating liquids (available at Pet Supplies Plus) to tap water when the use of water is advised.

 

If these suggestions cannot resolve your reptile’s shedding issue, or if you suspect your pet is seriously ill or injured, please consult a veterinarian immediately.

 

 

Leopard Gecko

• Target temperature for warmest part of terrarium: About 85° F (basking temperature of 90° F)
• Target temperature for coolest part of terrarium: 75° F
• Target humidity level: 60 to 70%
• Shedding pattern: All at once and they do eat their old skin. Adults shed about once every 4 to 8 weeks.

• In case of stuck shed:

• Soak leopard gecko in lukewarm dechlorinated water for 10 minutes. Water level should not be above chin level. And never leave a soaking reptile unattended. After soaking, gently rub their skin with a soft cotton swab.
• You can also mist your pet with lukewarm dechlorinated water but never spray water directly in their face. Let the water sit on them for 10 to 30 minutes and gently pat dry.

 

 

Crested Gecko

• Target temperature for entire terrarium: 75°to 80° F (crested geckos are heat sensitive)
• Target humidity level: 85%
• Shedding pattern: All at once and they do eat their old skin. Adults shed about once every 2 to 4 weeks.

• In case of stuck shed:

• Mist the terrarium to increase humidity levels (up to 90%) for a short period of time. Make sure the enclosure is proper ventilated.
• If that doesn’t do the job, mist your crested gecko with tepid dechlorinated water and massage their skin with a soft cotton swab.
• Another option to misting the terrarium or crested gecko is to create a sauna. Fill a small tub or container with paper towels soaked in lukewarm dechlorinated water. Cover the container (the cover should be poked with holes so your pet can breathe). Leave in the sauna for 15 to 30 minutes and try removing the old skin again with a soft cotton swab.

 

 

Bearded Dragon

• Target temperature for warmest part of terrarium: 78° to 90° F (basking temperature of 95° to 100° F)
• Target temperature for coolest part of terrarium: 68° F
• Target humidity level: 35 to 40%
• Shedding pattern: In patches. Adults shed about 1 to 2 times a year.

• In case of stuck shed:

• Let them soak in a bath of lukewarm dechlorinated water for 15 minutes. Water level should not be above chin level and never leave your bearded dragon unattended. Remove from water and gently brush area with a toothbrush.
• Mist daily the areas on their body that have shedding issues.

 

 

Veiled (Cone-Head) Chameleon

• Target temperature for warmest part of terrarium: 80° to 85° F (basking temperature of 90 to 95° F)
• Target temperature for coolest part of terrarium: 70° to 75° F
• Target humidity level: 80%
• Shedding pattern: In patches. Adults shed about once every 6 to 8 weeks.

• In case of stuck shed:

• Gently remove unshed skin with a soft cotton swab dipped in warm dechlorinated water.
• You can also try misting your chameleon with lukewarm dechlorinated water to loosen the skin, then try to remove the unshed skin with a soft cotton swab.

 

 

Ball Python

• Target temperature for warmest part of terrarium: 85° to 90° F (basking temperature of 90° F)
• Target temperature for coolest part of terrarium: 75° F
• Target humidity level: 50 to 60%
• Shedding pattern: All at once and shed skin should be removed from enclosure. Adults shed about once every 4 to 6 weeks. Snakes don’t like being handled during their shed, so let them be or they may try to bite you.

• In case of stuck shed:

• Soak in a tub of lukewarm dechlorinated water for 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure the water isn’t too deep otherwise it may drown. And always supervise your Ball Python when it is soaking.
• Wrap in warm wet towels. The friction from moving around may help remove the skin.
• Put a humidity hide in their enclosure.

 

 

Corn Snake

• Target temperature for warmest part of terrarium: 85° F
• Target temperature for coolest part of terrarium: 75° F
• Target humidity level: 40 to 50%
• Shedding pattern: All at once and shed skin should be removed from enclosure. Adults shed every few months. Snakes can get cranky during their shed and may strike you if handled, so give them their space.

• In case of stuck shed:

• Soak in a tub of dechlorinated lukewarm water for 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure the water isn’t too deep otherwise it may drown. And always supervise your snake when it is soaking.
• Wrap in warm wet towels. The friction from moving around may help remove the skin.
• Put a humidity hide in their enclosure.

 

If these tips for stuck shed don’t work, try using the kind of shedding aid you’d find at Pet Supplies Plus.

 

Don’t let shedding issues get under your skin. Make sure your reptile’s enclosure is at the right temperature and humidity levels. Plus, add some shed-encouraging décor to their terrarium. For minor stuck shed issues, there are at-home treatments you can purchase or do yourself. Just like with clothes, your reptile’s skin will be none the worse for wear with proper care.