Skin-shedding in reptiles is a crucial natural bodily process. Some people think that only snakes and lizards shed, but this is untrue. It’s an essential part of life for all reptiles for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, it’s because they’re growing. Other times, shedding stems from an underlying health condition. In this guide, we’ll look at everything that reptile owners should know about the shedding process.
All Pet Reptiles Shed Their Skin
The first thing to understand is that all pet reptiles shed their skin or epidermis. There’s sometimes a misconception that only snakes shed—or that tortoises don’t need to. The reality is that every reptile sheds its skin many times throughout its lifetime. However, there are differences in the way they do it. For example, snakes will shed their skin in a single piece. Keepers may suddenly see their cast-off skin in the corner of the enclosure.
Meanwhile, lizards, turtles, and turtles shed their skin in pieces. Turtles and tortoises even lose the scutes (bony plates) on their shells before new ones grow. Lizards, including iguanas, may eat their newly shed skin because they don’t want to waste nutrients. The old skin still contains valuable nutrients, and this is important for reptiles. Typically, they shed by rubbing their bodies against hard surfaces. They scrape away the skin in patches before new skin replaces it.
Reptiles Shed Their Skin for Many Reasons
Reptiles shed their skin for several reasons. Growth is one of the most common factors when they are younger. As the reptile’s body expands, it will shed its skin and replace it. This is because the old skin won’t stretch as their physique develops. Instead, they shed the epidermis and reveal a newly formed layer. Sudden weight gain may also prompt shedding as the reptile gains more body mass.
Reptiles also shed their skin for health reasons. Shedding helps to keep their scales shiny and free from mites or harmful bacteria. Reptiles also have very delicate internal systems that regulate heat and humidity absorption. Shedding helps to keep everything stable.
How Often Do Reptiles Shed Their Skin?
Different reptiles shed their skin at varying rates throughout their lives. Let’s talk about pet snakes first. Healthy young snakes will shed their skin at least once a month. In some cases, they may even shed every couple of weeks as they grow larger, but this will slow down as they age. Mature snakes may only shed a few times per year to clean their bodies and regulate their internal systems.
It’s a similar story for bearded dragons. Babies and juveniles will shed every month or six weeks, but adults only shed every couple of months at most. Young leopard geckos shed every week, while fully-grown specimens only shed once per month or even less. Owners should note when their pet reptile sheds. Sometimes, they may go unusually long without shedding, which could be a sign of a health or husbandry problem. If a tortoise is losing their scutes too quickly, it could mean they have an infection.
Understanding Dysecdysis in Reptiles
Many reptiles experience dysecdysis throughout their lives. This is when a reptile is unable to shed its skin properly. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not a condition in itself. Rather, it’s a symptom of another problem. Most dysecdysis cases occur because of husbandry mistakes. Reptiles have very sensitive bodies and need the perfect conditions to regulate their bodies. New reptile owners should ensure that they set the correct temperature and humidity levels. Regular cleaning is also crucial to keep their pet reptiles healthy.
Dysecdysis can also occur as a result of a bacterial infection or because of a thyroid problem. However, this also usually develops because of poor conditions in their enclosure. Check your reptiles regularly to see if they have any cuts on their bodies. Dysecdysis can cause necrosis in severe cases. This can lead to a loss of digits on their feet or even limbs. Vets may diagnose hot baths for the reptile pet or special creams. Amputations may be necessary in the worst situations. The good news is that dysecdysis is very preventable and avoidable by properly maintaining your pet reptile’s enclosure.
How to Help Reptiles with Shedding
Shedding isn’t always an easy process for reptiles. Pet snakes may show ill humor in the days leading up to their shed. Be careful handling them during this time because they may strike if disturbed. As tempting as it may be, avoid picking the skin off your reptile pet’s body. You may have good intentions, but this could damage their skin or cause injury, or the skin may not be ready to separate from the reptile’s body. You can include rough surfaces like a scratching post for them to rub against. This will help them to remove the skin more easily.
Another useful form of intervention is to soak your reptile in warm water. Be careful because this can be risky for some species. Always supervise your reptiles while in the bath so they don’t drown. Owners can also ensure that they’re feeding their pets a good balanced diet. Maintaining the correct humidity and temperature levels will also make it easier for reptiles to shed properly. Humidity is especially important for this process because it ensures the skin remains pliable and easy to shed.
