Shed Troubleshooting: What’s Normal & What’s Not 🧦🐍

Shedding is a natural part of life for reptiles and amphibians — but when things don’t go smoothly, it can signal something’s off in your setup. Here’s how to tell if your reptiles’s shed is normal or needs attention, plus what you can do to help.

✅ Normal Shedding Signs

• Dull, pale, or cloudy skin/eyes before shedding

• Full-body shed in one or a few large pieces (for snakes)

• Patchy shed flaking off over a few days (for lizards and amphibians)

• Less activity or appetite just before shedding

• Frequent soaking or hiding as shedding approaches

Most reptiles shed every few weeks to a few months depending on age, species, and growth rate.

⚠️ Signs of Problematic Shedding (Dysecdysis)

• Stuck shed on toes, tail tips, spikes, or around eyes

• Shedding in small pieces or flakes that take too long to come off

• Repeated incomplete sheds

• Loss of digits or tail tips (in severe cases)

• Discoloration, infections, or irritation beneath retained skin

• Retained eyecaps

💡 Common Causes of Shedding Issues

• Low humidity – The #1 cause of stuck shed

• Lack of rough surfaces for rubbing

• Poor hydration or dehydration

• Incorrect temperatures

• Poor nutrition or vitamin deficiencies

• Underlying illness or parasites

🛠️ How to Help With a Bad Shed

• Boost humidity — mist the enclosure or add damp moss

• Offer a shed box or humid hide (especially for geckos and snakes)

• Give a shallow warm soak (10–20 mins) and gently help with a cotton bud or soft towel

• Provide rough décor like branches, cork bark, or stone

• Never pull stuck shed forcefully — it can tear healthy skin

📌 When to See a Vet

• If stuck shed won’t come off after multiple attempts

• If there’s swelling, bleeding, or skin damage

• If your reptile is lethargic or not eating after shedding problems