Leo with shedding issues...

[Alana]

Hey everyone,

Is it common for some leos to just not use their humid hides? He might use it when I'm not around, but I'm pretty sure he never goes in it. I've tried tupperware containers, 2 other types of hides, paper towel, eco earth...he wants nothing to do with it. Now that it's cold and dry where I live, he's having a tough time shedding. Last month all of the skin on his legs and feet were retained. I have no problem giving him a warm soak and trying to get it off myself, but he's not fond of being held or messed with, so it's very difficult to do. He's in the middle of a shed right now and it's not going too well.

Is it okay the mist the tank to try to raise the humidity? Sorry if that's a silly question, but I never had to worry about it with my old gecko because she practically lived in her humid hide. I would appreciate any suggestions

BTW...the temps are all good. ~72 on cold end, 89-93 degrees on the warm end. I have an undertank heater on a thermostat and a CHE on a dimmer. And the humid hide is on the warm end of the tank.

 

[Alana]

Oh and I'm thinking I should buy a hygrometer...any suggestions on one that is reliable?

 

[acpart]

Get a digital hygrometer, the dial ones are not so good. There's a new book about leopard geckos I'm reviewing for Gecko Time this coming week that recommends putting a moist crumpled up paper towel in the warm hide when the gecko looks ready to shed. You could try that. Otherwise, warm soaks it will be, I guess.

Aliza

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

......

BTW...the temps are all good. ~72 on cold end, 89-93 degrees on the warm end. I have an undertank heater on a thermostat and a CHE on a dimmer. And the humid hide is on the warm end of the tank.

Hi ~

I have a some suggestions. Please share a picture of your humid hide.

1. Have you tried sphagnum moss inside that hide? I recommend keeping it moist 24/7. A warm humid hide helps a leopard gecko with hydration too. A dehydrated leo will not shed as easily.

2. Try a couple small bowls of water in the enclosure to up ambient humidity during the drier seasons.

3. What do you feed your leo? What do you feed your feeders?

4. Brand of supplements and multivitamins?

Vitamin A acetate contributes to healthy skin and sheds. For additional info, check out posts #22, 48, 85, and 96 following my Leo Care Sheet for Hilde's contributions. A bit of reading......;-)

 

[Alana]

Hi ~

I have a some suggestions. Please share a picture of your humid hide.

1. Have you tried sphagnum moss inside that hide? I recommend keeping it moist 24/7. A warm humid hide helps a leopard gecko with hydration too. A dehydrated leo will not shed as easily.

2. Try a couple small bowls of water in the enclosure to up ambient humidity during the drier seasons.

3. What do you feed your leo? What do you feed your feeders?

4. Brand of supplements and multivitamins?

Vitamin A acetate contributes to healthy skin and sheds. For additional info, check out posts #22, 48, 85, and 96 following my Leo Care Sheet for Hilde's contributions. A bit of reading......;-)

Sorry I didn't see the replies sooner!

I don't have a picture right now, but I'm currently using the one made by zoo med? Its the gray stone looking one. I think it's called the 3 in one cave.

I'll try the moss! I still have eco earth in there and mist it everyday. I know that's what the breeder used, so I thought he might like it better.
He eats crickets usually every other day. I give him meal worms maybe once or twice a month to change it up. I feed the crickets the adult bearded dragon diet because I saw that it was recommended. I throw in greens and certain fruits if I have them.
For supplements I use the repti-calcium by zoo med with D3 and reptivite. He doesn't like the taste of the reptivite, so instead of dusting all of the feeders on one day, I try to dust just a few of the crickets 2 times a week. And then I use the calcium with D3 twice a week.

I had an idea the other day and remembered that I have a little humidifier in storage. The next time he's about to shed I might set that up near his enclosure to up the overall humidity. And even if that doesn't help, at least my plants will enjoy it

And Aliza- Thanks for the suggestion about the paper towel in the warm hide. I'll try that too

 

[Tongue Flicker]

You said you were misting the coco fiber/eco earth inside the moist hide everyday? Are you sure it's not getting damp or moldy in there? A light misting every other day during your winter season is usually suffice unless you're from Colorado. It must be getting a bit stuffy inside so your gecko transferred somewhere else.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

You said you were misting the coco fiber/eco earth inside the moist hide everyday? Are you sure it's not getting damp or moldy in there? A light misting every other day during your winter season is usually suffice unless you're from Colorado. It must be getting a bit stuffy inside so your gecko transferred somewhere else.

Neil raises an excellent point! Check the cocofiber for mold and excessive dampness.

What type greens are you feeding the bugs and/or worms?

 

[hmarie186]

For supplements I use the repti-calcium by zoo med with D3 and reptivite. He doesn't like the taste of the reptivite, so instead of dusting all of the feeders on one day, I try to dust just a few of the crickets 2 times a week.

Are you dusting enough per week according to the directions on the bottle? I believe it is 12 dusted crickets per 71g body weight. If not, the lack of sufficient vitamin A may be contributing to rough sheds.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Are you dusting enough per week according to the directions on the bottle? I believe it is 12 dusted crickets per 71g body weight. If not, the lack of sufficient vitamin A may be contributing to rough sheds.

Hard to tell for sure.

I think "12 dusted crickets per 71 grams body weight" can be a bit hard to calculate. Depends upon the size of crickets, maybe.

If a mature leopard gecko only eats 12 crickets per week (large crickets), definitely ALL the crickets eaten each week should not be dusted with Reptivite. Alana's leo does not like the taste of Reptitvite + she does use ZM Natural Adult Bearded Dragon Food to feed the crickets. ZMNABDF is also a source of vitamin A acetate.

Perhaps there is some other reason her leo does not use his moist hide???