Just like other lizards, crested geckos have to go through the ecdysis process regularly. Shedding is a natural process for these geckos, but there is a chance that you won’t catch it happening.
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How Often Do Crested Geckos Shed?
Crested geckos shed so fast and they mostly do it at night when it is quiet and comfortable. Besides, a healthy crestie will always eat their shed thus getting rid of any evidence. So, it is a bit hard to tell how often they do it in a month, but it is said that they shed after every two weeks or thereabout.
Let’s dive into more details about the crested gecko shedding process so that I can answer any other questions you might have.
How do I Know If My Crested Gecko Is shedding?
As long as you are feeding your crestie well, and it is experiencing normal growth, then it will shed normally. If you are yet to catch your gecko shedding, then you might want to look out for the following signs so that you know when the process kicks in:
1. Skin Changes
Crested geckos experience a couple of changes on their skin when they are about to shed. In most cases, you will notice the skin color has become duller, especially around the nose. The skin also turns to a milkfish or whitish color in most parts as well.
Some cresties will have loose wrinkly skin around their bellies and feet as well. This is a clear sign that your little creature will shed in the next 24 hours or so.
You might also notice that his or her skin has become a bit dry when you touch it.
2. Reduced Activity
Eye-lash geckos will change their activity pattern to save up energy during the shedding process. In most cases, they will eat less, avoid jumping and climbing as well. So if you notice a loss of appetite and reduced activity, there is a high possibility that he or she is about to shed.
3. Reduced Stickiness On The Feet
Your crested gecko is likely to have less sticky feet when he or she is about to shed. This can be attributed to the loose skin around the toes.
Reduced stickiness will obviously restrict your gecko’s climbing behavior until they manage to get the shed off.
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What Age Do Crested Geckos Shed?
If you are a new crested gecko keeper or have adopted a new gecko, you might be wondering when they start shedding. For your information, these creatures start their shedding process after they hatch.
You should expect your baby crested gecko to start shedding a week after it hatches. Remember that these juveniles grow pretty fast and they have to shed regularly in order to accommodate their body size.
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How Often Do Baby Crested Geckos Shed?
Juveniles and baby-crested geckos shed and they do so more often than adults. As I’ve mentioned earlier, babies grow pretty fast and they have to shed every week or so in order to keep up with the growth rate.
In most cases, you might know whether your baby crested geckos shed. They mostly do it at night and eat their shed as soon as they are done. Just make sure your gecko’s vivarium has the right humidity and temperature.
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How Long Does It Take For A Crested Gecko To Shed
Crested geckos are supposed to shed every two weeks or weekly depending on the age. The entire shedding process should only take a day or two. It all starts with the skin becoming wrinkly, dry, and ashy.
The crestie will then wait for the right time (which is at night) to start pulling off the old skin. In most cases, it should be done in 20 minutes max.
How To Help Crested Geckos Shed
Crested geckos should shed naturally without needing any help from you. The entire process should be smooth as long as you are feeding them well and keeping them in the right conditions.
Unfortunately, cresties also face shedding problems once in a while and you might be required to intervene. Below are a few strategies you can use to help cresties shed normally:
1. Increase Humidity.
One of the reasons why crested geckos have stuck shed is due to low humidity levels. You can prevent this by spraying their vivarium a little more than usual. If you are using a fogger, make sure to keep it running for a little longer.
2. Add A Shedding Box
The other strategy that should get your crested gecko to shed smoothly is by adding a shedding box in its cage. Remember to add damp towels or moss in order to keep the moisture at an optimum level.
3. Give Your Gecko A Sauna
If you notice an incomplete shed, you might want to help get rid of it by placing the gecko in a sauna. You just need to grab a plastic container and line the bottom with a damp paper towel. Place the crested gecko inside the container and let it soak for 20 minutes or so.
Make sure the container is covered with a lid that has a few holes in it. This will allow the gecko to breathe without losing the moisture that’s in the container.
Final Words
There you have it guys! Crested geckos shed at least once or twice a month depending on their age. Shedding is part of their life and it helps them grow normally. You might not catch your crestie shedding, but that doesn’t mean it never sheds.
