What do I do if I my geko is taking a while to shed?

Question

my gecko is a lepord gecko. I think.

Answer 1

well i think its good to have the humidity a little higher but im not sure about leopard geckos since their in the dessert but maybe put a wet paper towel in there and wait a couple days

Answer 2

I used to have an iguana and I had this problem a lot.  When he had trouble shedding I would fill the sink with a bit of luke warm water and just give him a bath. make sure that the water just covers his/her body and watch him/her.  They really like the water actually and she/he might start to drink it.  Gently massage his/her skin and the skin will probably start to shed pretty easily.

Answer 3

First off, it's always a good practice to find out what kind of reptile you have, so you can provide for its specific needs.  What works for one type of gecko can be 180-out for another species.

When Leopard geckos shed, they begin to peel loose the old skin an something, and then rub, until they work it off their head.  Once they have loose skin where they can grasp it, they do exactly that, and peel the skin off, eating it as they do.

Before a shed, your gecko needs a moisture box placed nearer the warm end of it's tank.  (This moisture box should be available all the time, as well).

I'm posting a link below.  (You can tell from the pictures if you have a Leopard gecko, or some other type).  It's got a lot of good general information about Leos and their care/needs.  Pay particular attention to gut loading their crickets.  But, there is a section which mentions play sand.  I strongly DISAGREE with this.  Sand and Leopard geckos just isn't a good idea.  They WILL eat it, and can become impacted.  This requires a vet's immediate help, and can result in death.  But, the rest of the information is pretty basic/good.

If your gecko has done a partial shed, it will need help.  You will need to soak it, to soften the stuck dead skin, so that it can be removed.  After soaking, return the gecko to its tank and hopefully, it will complete its shed.  If it doesn't look as though it wants to remove the skin within 10-15 min., then resoak it a bit, and gently roll the dead skin free.  Do NOT pull on it, if it seems "stuck" or you can tear the new skin beneath.  It should rub free very easily.  It may require several soakings, over several days, to accomplish removing the remaining dry skin.  Be patient, and do not injure the animal.

Pay particular attention to the toes/tail tip.  Shrunk/dried skin can cut off blow flow, and result in the loss of toes, or the tail tip.  If dead skin is remaining on these area after the soak/rub; you can apply a small amt. of fragrance free/alcohol free hand lotion (such as Eurcerine).  Don't pile it on... just rub a small amt. on your fingertip, and then massage it onto the areas which need it.  Repeat after each daily soak, until the skin is removed.  

In the event that you cannot get the skin off of the gecko's toes - take it to a vet.

Good luck with its shed (you can IM me on yahoo! messenger if you need to - info. on my page).

I hope this has been of help.

Answer 4

Leos need a humid hide at all times.   This can be as simple as a margarine or tupperware container with a hole cut in the side.  Line it with a folded papertowel and keep misted and moist.  He'll crawl in there a lot, especially at shedding times.  This will assure he doesn't have shedding stuck on him, most importantly the toes.  Oh, and keep it on the warmer end of the tank.  If he has shed stuck to him now, a few minutes soak in shallow warm water once a day will help.  

http://www.drgecko.com/index.html