Incomplete Shed

[TheOneBlueGecko]

I have a new crested gecko, my first one, and I was wondering if I should do anything about a strip of skin that is still on it's head from whenever it shed last. I think the tank at the pet store might have been a bit dry and too hot.

To clarify, it has this bit of skin on it when I got it and it goes from near the tip of the nose to the space between its eyes. I am trying to avoid handling it as I want it to get used to the new environment first. But wonder if I should try to remove the piece of skin or not worry about it as it is not in an area where I need to be concerned about it cutting off blood supply or impairing its vision.

Also, and I know this is probably too random to have a good answer, but if the gecko is 5 inches long, would you estimate it to be at least a couple of months old?

 

[JoshTheCrestieLover]

My advice would be to place your gecko in a small breathable container such as a tupperware with holes in, where he can move around, with plenty of moist paper towels to help him get the last of the skin off. If that doesn't work, then you may have to intervene as this may affect his next shed. See what other users put about intervening, as I've never had to so have no personal experience, but know of people who have had to.

In response to your other question, as all cresties grow at different rates, 5 inches could be anywhere from a couple of months to, at the other end of the spectrum, nearly a year (bit less).

Hope I helped

 

[raiderchick]

I would make sure the humidity is good and not worry about it for a day or two. If its still there I'd do what the other person suggested and give him some time in tupperware container with plenty of airholes, but not too many so it holds humidity for alittle while, This would help. I have one just for that purpose and had mine in it today since I think he was dirty since he likes to step in food. He also is coming up on a shed I think. You may also try using zoomed shed aid and then doing the tuperware treatment. It worked when my gecko was having a rough shed last month. It also claims to make future sheds easier but I will see about that.

 

[raiderchick]

Also, my gecko is about 3-4inches long and 5months old. Moving to 18x18x24 this week. Age and size aren't always the same, diet, gender and other factors come into account. I feed cgd and replace it every other day. Then crickets once a week.

 

[TheOneBlueGecko]

I tried putting him in a container with wet paper towels Saturday, I will try again today. I got her 5 days ago and the bit of skin seems the same. I am going to try it a couple more times then try out the shed aid to see that works any better.

Also, thanks for a your comments of the size vs age. I am going to just declare her to be 5 months old. She has been a lot of fun this far (and eating well which always makes me happy).

She is currently housed next to my leopard gecko (they are in separate tanks at different temps and humidities so don't worry about that) and have caught them watching each other intently a couple of times, wondering who this new little creature is. (I might have to put up a barrier between them so they don't stress, but it was still cute.)

 

[TheOneBlueGecko]

After the second time in a container with paper towels she is doing much better. I also used a Q-tip to rub the skin gently to loosen it more, she did not seem to mind. There is still a bit of skin, but I think it might just come off on its own.

Anyway, here are some pictures, because you can never have too many gecko pictures. (This is before I made progress on the skin from the previous shed.)

I don't know what her morph is, but I think she is just so pretty.

I use a flash on this one, so she seems a bit brighter than normal.

This one is a bit more true color. (You can also see a tiny bit of skin at the end of one toe, this is thankfully already gone.)

 

[JoshTheCrestieLover]

Glad its all clearing up nicely I would say she was a harlequin as the patterning goes all the way down the laterals and onto the back legs, but that's just my opinion. Really nice colours when she's fired up, not dissimilar to mine