Shedding is a natural process crucial for leopard geckos to rejuvenate their outer layer of skin and maintain good health.
If your leopard gecko doesn’t shed properly, it’s a sign of underlying health issues. Often, these problems are rooted in an incorrect habitat, a lack of humidity, a poor diet, or even factors like ovulation, brumation, injury, or stunted development. It’s possible you might miss this phenomenon since geckos often shed at night, eating the skin as they do so to quickly and quietly rejuvenate.
If you’ve caught your gecko in the act but noticed they are struggling, don’t worry; the good news is that with research and understanding what’s wrong, you can take the first step towards improving the situation. This article has you covered; continue reading to learn about the nine possible reasons your little Leo might need help.
Table of Contents
Why Is My Leopard Gecko Not Shedding: 9 Reason
Reason 1: Health Problems
When it comes to leopard geckos, various health issues regularly interfere with their natural behaviors, such as shedding. Conditions like liver disease and bacterial infections, often exacerbated by poor living conditions and chronic malnutrition, can be especially problematic.
Moreover, parasites like pinworms carried by contaminated feeders or insects from a local reptile shop pose significant risks. These ailments can lead to weight loss and other consequences that prevent a gecko from properly shedding. Understanding the link between these health issues and shedding is crucial for any gecko owner, as these conditions can be dangerous if left unaddressed.
It’s essential to ensure that your gecko is not suffering from any underlying health problem that could impede this natural process.
Tip: Keeping a watchful eye on your leopard gecko is vital, especially when it comes to shedding irregularities. Should you notice any health-related concerns such as signs of fatigue, lethargy, or a decrease in appetite, it’s time to pay attention. Another crucial aspect to monitor is your Leo’s colouring; if it turns a pale colour, this could be a warning sign. If your gecko goes three or four days without shedding, don’t just assume it’s a normal variance.
These symptoms often indicate a health issue that requires veterinary attention. It’s important to contact a veterinarian promptly in such cases to ensure the well-being of your beloved pet.
Also Read: WHY IS MY LEOPARD GECKO NOT POOPING
Reason 2: Incorrect Habitat
When it comes to reptiles in captivity, especially leopard geckos, proper living conditions are essential for them to thrive. To provide these correct temperatures both during the day and night, along with maintaining humidity levels between 30% and 40%, is crucial.
Incorporating desert-like décor with multiple places to hide within the terrarium helps to mimic their natural environment. These elements are instrumental in preventing issues that negatively impact their health and ability to shed. Factors within their habitat, like having a rough surface on objects or a high-humidity area in the enclosure, are vital.
Adding rocks, logs, and branches creates a surface for your gecko to rub against, aiding in loosening the old skin. Ensuring a part of their environment remains moist and humid, like a dedicated hide, is key to facilitating a successful shedding process.
Tip: A humid hide or reptile cave in your leopard gecko’s enclosure can be a game-changer for shedding. If you’re looking for a cheaper solution, consider using recycled boxes or clean Tupperware with a small entryway—simply cut out a hole large enough for your gecko to enter and exit. This setup allows humidity to be retained, helping your gecko with the shedding process. Be cautious with the materials you use; for instance, sand can wear and cut your gecko, so avoid sharp edges around the entry.
Inside, place damp paper towels, coconut fiber, or sphagnum moss to maintain moisture, which will soften and loosen the old skin, making it easier for your gecko to shed. This simple addition can significantly enhance your pet’s habitat, promoting a healthier and more natural shedding cycle.
Reason 3: Poor Diet/Nutrient Deficiency
As insectivores, leopard geckos primarily eat insects, and their health, including their shedding process, can be greatly affected by vitamin deficiencies. Ensuring a nutritious diet with adequate vitamin supplementation is crucial for a healthy gecko.
Your Leo needs proper vitamins to avoid becoming ill and to shed effectively. When feeding, offer a variety of gut-loaded insects like crickets, mealworms, Dubia roaches, and superworms. It’s important to dust these insects with calcium at every feeding without D3 if using a UVB light and with D3 if not.
Additionally, a multivitamin supplement should be provided once a week. This balanced approach to diet ensures that your leopard gecko gets all the necessary nutrients, supporting their overall health and enabling a smooth shedding process.
Tip: Place a small dish or bottle cap with a spoonful of calcium available in your gecko’s enclosure for them to consume as needed. This practice helps guarantee your gecko receives the proper amount of nutrients to promote healthy skin growth and facilitate shedding.
Reason 4: Stunted Development
Stunted growth in leopard geckos can often be attributed to a poor diet and living environment, especially when housing multiple leopard geckos together. Situations involving bullying or fighting, particularly among males, can create a continuous state of stress for the weaker gecko. This constant state of fight-or-flight not only prevents the gecko from eating properly and getting the rest it needs but also can significantly hinder its shedding capability. Ensuring a peaceful and nourishing environment is key to promoting healthy growth and natural shedding processes in these sensitive reptiles.
Tip: It’s often best to house leopard geckos separately to ensure they thrive in their environment. This individualized approach can significantly improve their ability to shed naturally and maintain overall well-being.
Reason 5: Injury
In the case of a leopard gecko, a physical injury can make shedding extremely difficult. The causes of injuries can vary, ranging from an attack by another gecko to accidental cutting on a sharp object in their enclosure, or even burning from a too-close heat source. Additionally, issues like being impacted by ingesting sand as a substrate can cause significant pain and discomfort. When a gecko is injured, its body’s energy is often redirected towards healing, impacting its ability to shed its skin effectively.
Tips: If your Leo sustains any wounds or injuries, it’s crucial to have them treated right away by a vet. Prompt treatment can prevent infection and encourage continued shedding, ensuring your gecko remains healthy.
Reason 6: Brumation
Brumation, a natural reptilian hibernation, occurs when temperatures are low, particularly in the winter months. During this phase, a leopard gecko’s metabolism slows down as it enters a semi-dormant state to conserve energy. This results in a notable decrease in appetite and activity levels.
They may burrow into their hiding spot and sleep for weeks or even months. While brumation is regulated more commonly in the wild, even captive-owned leopard geckos can exhibit these behaviors. If you notice your leopard gecko refusing food, hiding, or being unusually inactive, it could be brumating, which can affect its shedding pattern.
Tip: Keep an eye out for changes in behaviour such as your gecko spending more time in its hide, which could indicate it’s brumating. Peek in on occasion for a quick wellness check, but try not to disturb this natural process too much.
Reason 7: Ovulation
In female leopard geckos, the process of ovulating, much like in birds and other reptile species, involves the production of eggs that, if paired with a male, can be fertilized and later either laid or absorbed back into the body. Ovulation typically occurs between January and July and sometimes in September.
During this period, often referred to as being gravid (or pregnant), a significant amount of the gecko’s energy and resources are dedicated to growing these eggs. This diversion of resources can impact their normal bodily functions, including their ability to shed effectively.
Tip: Observing behaviors like lethargy or lack of appetite in your gecko can be similar to a shedding issue, but knowing if your gecko is ovulating helps you understand its behavior. This knowledge can eliminate worry, especially when your gecko is displaying unusual shedding behavior.
Reason 8: Metabolic Bone Disease
Without proper care, Leo may become ill with Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), a condition common among captive reptiles. MBD often stems from a lack of calcium supplementation or inadequate ultraviolet-B (UVB) lighting, which are crucial for their bodies to metabolize calcium effectively.
Without the correct amount of calcium, their bones can deteriorate, leading the gecko to lose appetite, become weak, and appear lethargic. Depending on the severity, they might even lose their movement ability, which you would expect to affect their shedding process.
Tip: As nocturnal creatures, leopard geckos in studies have shown that UVB lighting is not required for them to survive. Instead, using supplemented calcium and vitamin D in their diet helps them absorb and metabolize nutrients effectively. If your gecko is showing signs of advanced MBD, it’s crucial to consult a veterinarian immediately.
Reason 9: Tail Loss
Among many gecko species, the leopard gecko has the ability to drop its tail as a survival mechanism when threatened. This tail can grow back over a period of approximately 30 days. However, tail loss and its subsequent regeneration require a significant amount of time and energy from the gecko. During this period, other bodily functions, like the shedding process, often take a backseat as the gecko focuses on healing and regrowing its tail.
Tip: To avoid tail drop, it’s important to handle your leopard gecko gently, as they don’t like being handled too much. Be mindful not to trap them between two objects or against the glass, as they may feel stuck and drop their tail to escape, which is a natural response to prevent further injury.
Is It Normal For My Leopard Gecko To Not Shed?
Simply put, the answer is no. Shedding is essential for a leopard gecko to live a long, healthy life. It allows for the growth of new, healthy skin, helps to conserve nutrients, and prevents parasitic skin infections. If your gecko is not shedding at all, or struggling to shed, it’s a sign of a serious health problem. It’s normal for there to be difficulty shedding small pieces of skin in parts like the face, tail, or feet. When this happens, there are ways to gently assist in removing the stuck shed.
Also Read: DO LEOPARD GECKOS GET BORED
Signs Of A Shedding Problem And What To Do
When monitoring your Leo, look out for visible signs of a shedding problem. Unlike what you may see in a video of a normal shedding process, leftover dried skin on the body, particularly around the face, tail, or feet, is a recognizable sign of an issue.
If you notice this, use a moist Q-tip or cotton swab to gently remove the skin, being careful not to rub too hard and cause injury, especially in sensitive areas. Excessive movement, restlessness, or rubbing against surfaces in the enclosure for longer than usual can also signify a problem. Try placing your gecko in a shallow dish of lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes to hydrate and loosen any struggling or stuck shed.
Remember, leopard geckos aren’t adept at swimming, so ensure the water is no higher than chin level. Additionally, a lack of appetite or interest in activity may signify an underlying health concern. In such cases, consult a veterinarian, particularly if your gecko appears sick
Should You Worry If Your Leopard Gecko Is Not Shedding?
If your leopard gecko is not shedding, it can be a cause for concern, as it might indicate an underlying health problem. Issues like malnutrition or poor living conditions could lead to future health problems, including infections or mobility issues. These are all reasons to pay extra attention to your gecko’s behavior.
If you have already applied the tips provided and still suspect your gecko isn’t shedding, then consulting a veterinarian should be your next best step. Timely intervention can prevent more serious health complications and ensure the well-being of your pet.
Can stunted growth affect a leopard gecko shedding?
In a still-developing Leopard Gecko, stunted growth can lead to a delayed shedding pattern or alter its frequency. Young Leos with a reduced growth rate, often due to juvenile issues, can identify with problems like a bad diet, environmental factors such as incorrect tank temperature, or stress from bullying. Recovery from an illness can also affect both growth and shed cycles.
Recording the dates and weight of your gecko is an effective way of identifying these abnormalities. If your gecko is not eating, or consuming low-quality food lacking essential nutrients, consider feeding a variety of gut-loaded insects. Supplements are often recommended by a vet to address illnesses.
Additionally, if your gecko appears anxious or scared, allowing them ample rest and hiding opportunities can be beneficial. Separating them into a tank with multiple hides if large enough, and housing them separately if there’s injury or stress, ensures a healthy and unstressful feeding environment.
Also Read: WHY DO LEOPARD GECKOS CHIRP
Bullying and stunted development
A lesser-known cause of stunted growth and shed delay in a Leo can be continuous stress from bullying, a common issue when Leopard Geckos are housed together. This can result in your gecko feeling anxious and scared, preferring to rest, leave their hide infrequently, and eat less, which directly impacts their ability to grow and shed.
Separating the bullies, especially if there’s more than one male, is crucial. Ensuring your gecko has access to enough nutrients and a stress-free environment is key. Providing multiple hides in a large enough tank helps in reducing housing stress and injury, leading to healthier and more unhealthy feeding habits.
FAQs
Can age affect a leopard gecko’s shed?
A Leopard Gecko typically starts to shed every 5 to 7 days after hatching, with subsequently young geckos shedding weekly or bi-weekly until the age of one. This frequent shedding is due to rapid growth. As a young Leo grows, the shedding process can be completed in less than 48 hours, making it easy to miss.
Can Diet Stop a Leopard Gecko Shedding?
Nutrient deficiencies caused by a poor diet can certainly delay or lead to abnormal shedding in a Leo. Chronic malnutrition, especially from vitamin A deficiencies, can cause significant dietary shortcomings that may stop shedding or make it appear incomplete. Owners might falsely believe their gecko has shed fully when in reality, it remains pale and fatigued due to inadequate nutrition.
Can terrarium conditions affect the shed?
A lack of humidity and moisture in the terrarium can delay or cause complex shedding problems, like a stuck shed. Controlled humidity, essential for a regular, healthy shed, should be around 40% to avoid dried-out skin that’s difficult to shed. Adding rough surface décor and a shedding box or hide filled with moist substrate can do the trick in creating an ideal shedding environment for your Leopard Gecko.
Why am I missing my leopard geckos shedding?
Even when your Leopard Gecko grows and looks healthy, shedding can be easy to miss. Often, a Leo sheds at night, and furthermore, they might use moist hides or eat the evidence of their shed right after it occurs, leaving little trace for owners to notice.
How do I get my leopard gecko to shed?
If your leopard gecko is having trouble shedding, you can create a homemade humidity chamber. This can be constructed using a Tupperware container with a warm, wet hand towel inside. Place this chamber on a heating pad that’s regulated by a thermostat to maintain a temperature of around 80 degrees, providing an ideal environment for shedding.
Is it normal for my leopard gecko to not shed?
Older leos, once their growth has sprouted, may not shed as frequently as usual, and it’s normal for them to stop shedding for a long period of time. However, if a young Leo is not shedding, it could be a sign of stunted growth and warrants closer observation or consultation with a veterinarian.
Why is my leopard gecko not eating or shedding?
A Cold Environment is a common reason why leopard geckos stop eating or shedding. If your gecko’s heat bulb has burned out, or the heat mat has stopped working, it could create a draft in the cage, leaving it too cold. It’s essential to always have a functioning heat source, especially if your gecko has never been exposed to such cold conditions before.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding why your leopard gecko is not shedding involves considering various factors such as their diet, habitat conditions, age, and overall health. Nutrient deficiencies, improper terrarium humidity, and environmental stressors like bullying or cold temperatures can significantly impact their shedding process. It’s crucial to monitor your gecko’s behaviour for signs of abnormal shedding or health issues.
Creating a conducive environment with proper heat, humidity, and nutrition is key to ensuring regular and healthy shedding. Remember, while older geckos may naturally shed less frequently, any prolonged shedding irregularities, especially in younger geckos, should be addressed with care and potentially require a veterinarian’s consultation. By being attentive and responsive to these needs, you can help your leopard gecko lead a healthy and comfortable life.
