Leopard Geckos and Shedding

[Andromeda]

I know that it's a must for moist hides to be provided to help with the shedding process and from reading up and the pictures I've seen of them while in shed it looks like they shed mostly all in one piece.

I'm not new to reptiles and shedding as I also keep snakes however, it seems to be common for them to still have shed skin on their toes and I'm wondering - does this skin come off on its own with the aid of their moist hide or do they need a little bit of help with this & if a little help is required what is best?

Obviously, when the time comes to me getting my new Leopard I will be providing lots of rough things for it to climb all over - wood, stones, cork bark, plants etc & I know with my snakes they will rub on these rough things while shedding to loosen the old dead skin..................do geckos do the same?

 

[Embrace Calamity]

A common cause of leos having trouble shedding is a vitamin A deficiency. Most people don't realise that the majority of common calcium supplements don't have vitamin A (Repashy Leopard Gecko Calcium Plus is an exception that works very well), and you'd be surprised what kinds of problems this can cause - shedding problems, ulcers, eye problems, etc. I know many people who've had problems with their gecko shedding because they weren't getting any vitamin A. If the gecko has proper access to humidity and enough vitamin A, it should shed fine, toes and all.

~Maggot

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

A common cause of leos having trouble shedding is a vitamin A deficiency. Most people don't realise that the majority of common calcium supplements don't have vitamin A (Repashy Leopard Gecko Calcium Plus is an exception that works very well), and you'd be surprised what kinds of problems this can cause - shedding problems, ulcers, eye problems, etc. I know many people who've had problems with their gecko shedding because they weren't getting any vitamin A. If the gecko has proper access to humidity and enough vitamin A, it should shed fine, toes and all.

~Maggot

Hi Maggot ~

A hearty welcome to Geckos Unlimited !

Want to add that Zoo Med's Reptivite with and without vitamin D3 does also contain vitamin A acetate.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I know that it's a must for moist hides to be provided to help with the shedding process and from reading up and the pictures I've seen of them while in shed it looks like they shed mostly all in one piece.

I'm not new to reptiles and shedding as I also keep snakes however, it seems to be common for them to still have shed skin on their toes and I'm wondering - does this skin come off on its own with the aid of their moist hide or do they need a little bit of help with this & if a little help is required what is best?

Obviously, when the time comes to me getting my new Leopard I will be providing lots of rough things for it to climb all over - wood, stones, cork bark, plants etc & I know with my snakes they will rub on these rough things while shedding to loosen the old dead skin..................do geckos do the same?

Somewhat. Having shed remaining especially on toes is not desired because it can cut off circulation and then the leo might loose his toes. In those cases a leo should have warm water soaks with a chamomile tea bag added to the water as recommended by mod Thorrshamri. Once the old skin has loosened, the keeper may gently assist in the removal with tweezers and/or q-tips.

The moist humidity hide assists leos with hydration as well as with shedding.

 

[Andromeda]

Somewhat. Having shed remaining especially on toes is not desired because it can cut off circulation and then the leo might loose his toes. In those cases a leo should have warm water soaks with a chamomile tea bag added to the water as recommended by mod Thorrshamri. Once the old skin has loosened, the keeper may gently assist in the removal with tweezers and/or q-tips.

The moist humidity hide assists leos with hydration as well as with shedding.

Yeah I know retained shed can cut off circulation, with my snakes I pay attention to the tail tip after each shed, if not spotted they can loose the tip of their tails.

Thanks so much everyone for your replies.