Leopard geckos shed their skin all the time and it is a natural process. In this blog post, we will take a look at the causes of shedding, problems that can arise during shedding, and how to cure them. So if you’re wondering how often leopard geckos shed or what to do if your leopard gecko has difficulty shedding, read on!
Why do leopard geckos shed?
Leopard geckos shed their skin as a way to grow. The new skin is produced under the old skin and, as the old skin loosens, the leopard gecko will eat it. You can see your leopard gecko rubbing his nose or rubbing on the ground, trying to take off his old skin.
Leopard geckos typically shed their skin once a month but this varies depending on how much they eat and how often you feed them.
How often are leopard geckos shed?
Adult leopard geckos typically shed every 4 – 8 weeks, but this varies depending on how much they eat and how often you feed them. Baby leopard geckos shed every 1 – 2 weeks, more often than adults because they grow faster and need new skin to be produced at a constant rate.
Why does my leopard gecko shed so much?
The amount of skin your leopard gecko sheds can be affected by a number of factors, such as diet and humidity. Leopard geckos shed their skin when it gets too tight on their body. There is no specific schedule for this, and it can happen at any time.
If your leopard gecko is eating a lot, it will shed more often since they grow faster and need new skin to be produced at a constant rate, so monitor their diet and make sure they are getting the right nutrients. If the humidity is too low, your leopard gecko will also shed more often since it will become too dry for them to hold onto their old skin.
In general, If you’re keeping your leopard gecko in a habitat that is too dry, this will affect how much skin they shed. If you’re keeping your leopard gecko in a habitat that is too wet, this will also affect how much skin they shed.
What Causes The Excess Shedding in Leopard Geckos?
There are a few things that can cause your leopard gecko to shed too much.
Poor Diet
If your leopard gecko is not getting enough of the nutrients it needs to grow, its skin will start to shed more often. This could be caused by feeding them too much, feeding them the wrong things, or not feeding them enough.
Low humidity
If the humidity in your leopard gecko’s habitat is too low, the skin will dry out and your leopard gecko may have difficulty shedding.
Improper Temperature
If your leopard gecko’s habitat is too hot or cold, it will cause your leopard gecko to shed more often.
Poor lighting
If the lighting in your leopard gecko’s habitat is not right, it will also cause excessive shedding.
Parasites
If your leopard gecko has parasites, they can cause excessive shedding. Most of these parasites can be Instentinal, such as cryptosporidium. These parasites feed on the leopard gecko’s nutrients inside their bodies, which can cause a lack of appetite and weight loss. Take your leopard gecko to the vet if you suspect this is the case.
Mites
Mites are ectoparasites that live on the skin causing severe skin irritation and can be difficult to get rid of. If your leopard gecko has mites, they can also cause excessive shedding.
Dehydration
If your leopard gecko is dehydrated, it will shed more often. This happens when a leopard gecko doesn’t get enough water, its skin can become dry and sag, and it might also start to peel off.
A good way to prevent this from happening is by bathing your leopard gecko in water and making sure they have a fresh source of water to drink.
No-Hide Area
If your leopard gecko doesn’t have a hiding area to hide in especially during the warmest times of the day, it can cause them to become stressed and shed more often. So, Boxes or Caves with a mist substrate are recommended to keep the leopard geckos’ skin hydrated and healthy.
Stress
There are many reasons for leopard geckos’ to get stressed like being handled too often, competing with other geckos’ that can make them lethargic, avoiding activities, and even stopping taking meals. If they are exposed to loud noises or bright lights for long periods of time, this can stress them out and cause excessive shedding. You should always try to keep your leopard gecko’s habitat as calm and stress-free as possible.
Malnutrition In Leopard Geckos
A leopard gecko that is not getting the right nutrients will often experience shedding problems. Check to make sure your leopard gecko is eating the right insects and that it is getting a varied diet. If you’re not sure what to feed your leopard gecko, ask your vet or an experienced leopard gecko breeder.
Leopard Gecko Is Shedding A Lot, But Not Eating!
If your leopard gecko is shedding a lot and not eating much, you might start to worry. But don’t worry! Most leopard geckos will stop eating for a few days before shedding and this is perfectly normal.
Remember that your leopard gecko will eat its own skin when it sheds. This means that its belly will be full for some time.
However, if your leopard gecko is not eating a week after it finishes shedding and is losing weight, you should take it to the vet. This is especially true if there are other symptoms that make leopard geckos feel unwell, such as lethargy, having blood in their stools.
Make sure that your leopard gecko is not eating because it is shedding. If it is not only eating because of shedding, there might be other reasons as well, something wrong with the food you are feeding them or due to the fact that their habitat isn’t humid enough and reasons that have been mentioned above already.
How to Spot Skin Shedding Problems?
Eyelid Shedding
Leopard geckos have eyelids, which is different from most other lizard species. The basilar scales of a leopard geckos’ snout are in place of transparent scales (eye cap), which cover the eye entirely and serve as protection against injury. If the eyelid shedding is not normal, it can be a sign of an infection.
If your leopard gecko’s eyes are bulging, then it might be shedding a lot. If the shed is not removed from your leopard gecko’s eyes after several weeks, your leopard gecko might be at risk of infection.
Tail Shedding
Tail shedding is a normal process that all leopard geckos go through. The skin around the tail should come off as normal, but watch out for patches of skin that don’t come off. This is especially common in leopard geckos that have recently been shed.
However, if your leopard gecko’s tail falls off suddenly, it can be a sign of illness or injury. If your leopard gecko’s tail looks like it is shedding but has not fallen off, it might be a sign of infection.
Toe Shedding
Leopard geckos’ toes also shed, especially around their fingernails. You can see your leopard gecko shedding if you notice that their nails are growing more slowly than normal. If your leopard gecko’s toes are shedding and the skin is not coming off easily, it might be a sign of infection and even lead to amputation.
Vent Shedding
The vent is the opening on the underside of your leopard gecko where they excrete waste. If this area is not shedding correctly, it can cause infections and even death.
Around the vent, your leopard gecko’s skin shedding issues may occur. Your leopard gecko might be seen lapping at its vent in an attempt to moisten the area and help with shedding. If your leopard gecko is not able to remove the skin around its vent, it might be a sign of infection.
How to help your leopard gecko with shedding?
There are several ways that you can help your leopard gecko shed. You can do it either by yourself or with the help of a vet
Humidity
Humidity should be between 40% – 60%. Leopard geckos prefer to live in dry habitats, but they do need some humidity in order to properly shed. You can increase the humidity in your leopard gecko’s habitat by using a humidifier or by misting the tank every day.
Diet
Mealworms and crickets are ideal. Add calcium, a multivitamin, and vitamin D3 supplements to leopard geckos’ diet.
Substrate
You will need some paper for juveniles, a mix of sand, clay, and some lime-free, sterilized soil for adults.
Company
If you have more than one leopard gecko, make sure they are not violent or aggressive with each other. This can cause a lot of stress, which might lead to poor feeding, eventually leading to abnormal shedding.
Basking
Leopard geckos need to get warm in order to shed properly. You can provide your leopard gecko with a basking light or place it in a warm room.
Shedding Aid
There are products available to help leopard geckos shed. This includes products such as Shed-ease and ReptiZyme Skin & Shell.
Keep the temperature of the tank at least 20°C (64F) at night. Have a temperature gradient of 28°C – 35°C (82F – 95F) on the hot side, 24°C – 26°C (75.2F – 78.8F) on the cool side during the day.
Treat Parasites & Mites
Keep your leopard gecko away from other animals. This natural spray may be used to treat mites. Consult your veterinarian if you believe your pet is infected with any disease especially internal parasites like cryptosporidium.
Spot Cleaning
While it is important to clean your leopard gecko’s habitat on a regular basis, you should not disturb the tank while your leopard gecko is shedding or before they have finished shedding.
If your leopard gecko is having difficulty shedding, you can try gently rubbing the skin with a damp cloth to help loosen it. You can also soak your leopard gecko in a bath of lukewarm water for about 15 minutes.
Conclusions
Most leopard geckos shed regularly. Shedding problems are often caused by improper husbandry or illness, but they can also be signs of more serious problems. There are a number of ways to help your leopard gecko shed, including increasing humidity, providing a basking light or warm room, and using a shedding aid. If your leopard gecko has difficulty shedding, you can try gently rubbing the skin with a damp cloth or soak it in a bath of lukewarm water. Consult your veterinarian if you believe your leopard gecko is infected with any disease, especially internal parasites like cryptosporidium.
Excess skin shedding in leopard geckos is tricky to spot, but it’s definitely worth the effort. As a leopard gecko owner, make sure you have everything in place to ensure that your pet is shedding normally. Setting the right boundaries with your pet and keeping them maintained will guarantee a long and happy relationship.
