Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My gecko started to shed last night. I put a tupperwear container in his tank with moist paper towels but he wouldn't go in it. It's 24 hours later and he doesn't look much different (see picture, just taken). I just put a container of moist moss in there but he doesn't want to go in that either. Because the UTH only covers a small area, I've had to remove his normal warm spot hide (half a log) to put the humid hide on. But he doesn't want to go in it -- he just goes over to the hide on the cool side. I don't know how long it normally takes to shed, but this doesn't seem normal. What should I do?

Thanks,
Denise

Yup, looks like you're going to have to help him out here. Take a disposable tupperware container, cut some airholes in the lid (I do four holes--one in each corner big enough for them to stick their nose through), put some paper towels on the bottom, and then fill it up with enough warm water to almost reach his belly. Then put him in, put the lid on, and let him sit in there. 5 minutes should be long enough since the skin is still fresh, but sometimes it takes over 10 minutes if the skin has been there for over a week.

I suggest switching to a peat moss substrate for the humid hide. You can get a big bag for $3 at Home Depot. Make sure you keep the humid hide in his tank all the time. You only need to place the humid hide so only about 1/3 of it is directly over the heatpad. This allows him to thermoregulate inside the hide (which they do).
-----
5.8 leopard geckos

chickabowwow

That after the soak, just use your fingers to pull the skin off. You may want to keep a q-tip and tweezers handy in case you run into some tricky spots, but I've also found it faster to just use my fingers.

You also need to keep enough tank furniture in his enclosure while he sheds so he can have something to rub against to help get the skin off. Be careful not to have anything too rough though. I've seen leos rub their noses raw.
-----
5.8 leopard geckos

chickabowwow

Thank you xelda!

Last night, before you posted this message, she started picking it all off and eating it. It looks like she got it all but I'm going to check her more thoroughly tonight.

How long does it usually take to shed? And how is it supposed to come off? So I have something to gauge by next time...

And what I put in there was moss, although the package didn't label it a certain kind. What is the difference between just moss and peat moss? (the bag I bought yesterday was $7).

Thanks,
Denise