If you are seeing your leopard gecko shed for the first time, it can be nerve-wracking. Not only does your leopard gecko change in appearance, but you might even notice that its mood and behavior change as well.
Leopard geckos will shed their skin on average every month depending on age. Since their skin isn’t elastic like ours, they need to shed their whole layer of skin to recycle dead cells. Most shedding is healthy but if sheds get stuck, it could be time to step in to assist your pet leopard gecko.
Even though shedding is a natural process, you probably couldn’t help but wonder if there was something wrong with your gecko. However, shedding is completely natural, and you have little to worry about. While we mostly think of reptiles as the animals who shed, nearly every animal sheds in one way or another.
Humans even shed their skin, albeit we shed so subtly that you don’t notice when a few skin cells flake off. In fact, the dust in your home is proof that you shed because human skin particles make up a portion of dust (although most of your skin cells just end up going down the shower drain).
While human skin is elastic, reptile skin is not. Because of this leopard geckos shed their skin cells in a way that is much different than humans. When leopard geckos shed, they do so by shedding their entire skin. Naturally, this is much more noticeable than a few skin cells at a time. Leopard geckos shed their skin to repair any skin damage should there be any cuts or scrapes. They also shed as they grow, so it’s common for younger leopard geckos to shed more frequently than adults.
How Frequently Will Shedding Occur?
How often your leopard gecko sheds will depend on its age and lifestyle. Generally, baby and juvenile leopard geckos will shed a lot more than adult leopard geckos. This is because young leopard geckos grow at a much faster rate than adults who do not need to grow at all.
Because adult leopard geckos are not shedding to grow bigger, they will shed their skin to repair any damage, such as microscopic scrapes and cuts. While there isn’t any set schedule that your leopard gecko will follow for shedding, you can expect this general guideline for how often your leopard gecko should be shedding:
| Age | Shedding Frequency |
| Baby (0 to about 6 months) | Every 1 to 2 weeks |
| Juvenile (6 months to about 18 months) | Every 2 weeks |
| Adult (over 18 months) | Every 4 to 8 weeks (one month is average) |
Again, don’t be worried if you notice that your leopard gecko is shedding too much or not enough. Each gecko is on its own schedule, and as long as you notice normal behavior overall, your leopard gecko should be healthy.
What Does Shedding Look Like?
When your leopard gecko sheds, looks like it is literally coming out of its skin (which it is). Before the shedding process is fully underway, your gecko will start to produce a layer of fluid underneath its skin. This fluid is a good thing, as it lubricates the skin so that it comes off easily.
Once the fluid has been built up, the outermost layer begins to loosen from the skin. This is when you may start to notice the color of your leopard gecko change to a milky white, grey, or more faded color. For example, you usually bright yellow leopard gecko might appear duller. In fact, the pattern of your leopard gecko’s skin might be less visible.
As your leopard gecko begins to shed the skin, you may notice that the pieces come off in large chunks or that there are large pieces of skin hanging off your gecko. This is completely normal, so just let your gecko go through the shedding process.
Once your gecko has removed the last bit of skin, it will look nearly the same as it did before.
Is Shedding Painful for Leopard Geckos?
Shedding is not painful for leopard geckos, but it can be very uncomfortable and itchy. With the correct tank set up (also known as husbandry) your leopard gecko will shed and be completely fine. But when complications occur, then shedding can become painful.
If the skin does not come off completely, it can get trapped on your leopard gecko and become tight. Remember, reptile skin is not elastic. So when your leopard gecko is growing and needs to shed its skin, the old skin will simply not fit (like a pair of pants that used to fit 10 years ago).
The tight skin can cut off blood supply and your leopard gecko could lose appendages, go blind, develop breathing problems, and in the rarest cases, even die. When your leopard gecko is shedding, you may notice a change in behavior. You may observe that your lizard likes to hang out in the moister areas of the tank and may hide more than normal. Additionally, you may also notice a change in appetite.
When your leopard gecko is about to shed or is shedding, you may notice some weird body movements, such as swaying, rubbing against tank decorations, and biting at its skin. It’s also completely normal for your leopard gecko to bit its skin off in large pieces, so don’t be alarmed when that happens.
While not all leopard geckos will get moody when shedding, some will become more standoffish. We don’t like to use the word aggressive, because that seems too extreme. But if your skin was flaking off, wouldn’t you be agitated?
When shedding, your pet lizard may be less likely to come out and greet you and may not enjoy socialization exercises as much. On some occasions, your leopard gecko might try to bite you if it’s handled too much or becomes stressed. But don’t worry, if you give your leopard gecko some space it will be back to normal once shedding is over.
How to Help Leopard Gecko Shed
There are many ways that you can make sure the shedding process goes smoothly and quickly. Below you will find the most successful tips and tricks to help your lizard shed.
Hydration
Hydration and humidity are among the most important factors that you can control to help your leopard gecko shed. Because dehydration is one of the leading causes of a failed shed, make sure your leopard gecko has access to clean water. Additionally, watch the temperature of your vivarium because too high of temperatures can dry out your tank.
Your humidity levels should ideally be between 50 and 65 percent, so make sure the humidity levels in your tank are within this range for the best shed.
Damp Hiding Place
When leopard geckos burrow, their enclosure may reach humidity levels as high as 75 to 85 percent. As you saw above, this is much higher than the suggested percentage. However, you can add a damp burrow or hideaway that can mimic this humid environment by adding a box (aka, a Shedding Box) with a wet substrate such as peat moss, damp sand, or sphagnum moss.
For more information on the correct humidity setup and leopard gecko enclosure setup, check out this resource from Lake Shore Pet Hospital.
Decorations to Rub Against
While your leopard gecko will be seen biting at its skin as it sheds, having decorations in the enclosure will help your leopard gecko scratch those hard-to-reach spots. You should have decorations in your enclosure regardless so that your gecko has places to hide, but they are also good for shedding.
A Shallow Bath
While not every leopard gecko owner does this, you can place a shallow bath in your gecko’s enclosure. This may help your leopard gecko stay hydrated if it soaks on its own, but the bath will also evaporate and help to increase the humidity. When you make the shallow bath for your enclosure, don’t put too much water in. Instead, just put enough water so that it can soak part of its body and get a drink if it needs one.
Watch for Parasites
Parasites are a common cause of shedding problems. So, monitor your leopard gecko for any signs of parasites, such as small red or black moving dots on your leopard gecko (indicates mites). Some other common signs of parasites include:
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Abnormal feces i.e., diarrhea or just different looking poo
- Vomiting
If you notice any of the above signs, contact your vet for a checkup. Most of the time, parasites are a pretty easy fix.
A Stress-Free Environment
Stress can cause multiple problems for your leopard gecko, and shedding issues can be one of those problems. To keep your leopard gecko happy and stress-free, simply avoid too much handling, check to make sure your vivarium setup is correct, and include at least one hiding spot in your tank.
Watch for Stuck Skin or Illness
If you notice that the shedding process is not going the way it usually does, check your leopard gecko for other signs of illness. Over the course of your gecko’s life, you’ll watch it shed dozens of times. So if you notice something that doesn’t seem right, contact your vet.
Stuck skin is one of the most common issues that your gecko may experience during its shed. If you notice that the skin has not come completely off, you may be dealing with a stuck skin situation (more on this below).
Don’t Pull Off Skin
You should never pull the skin off your leopard gecko when it’s shedding. While it may be tempting to help it along, pulling off skin that’s not ready to come off can damage your leopard gecko’s skin and lead to an infection. So, let your leopard gecko do its own shedding unless you encounter a stuck shed (read about this below).
Stuck Shed (No Bueno?)
Stuck shed, also known as retained skin, is when the shed does not come off completely. When this happens, the skin will get stuck around the legs, tail, toes, vent, and eyes. While shedding usually occurs with no issues, it’s best to watch for retained skin around these areas during and after a shed:
- Tail. The tip of your leopard gecko’s tail is very thin, so skin can get stuck on this part of the body. Retained skin on the tail is not the most serious issue, but you should still work to resolve it to remove any discomfort.
- Toes. The toes of your leopard gecko are also small, so skin often gets stuck around the individual digits. If you don’t remove retained skin from the toes, you risk cutting off circulation and losing toes.
- Vent. Retained skin can also occur around your gecko’s vent (the area underneath the beginning of the tail) and can cause hygiene problems. This doesn’t happen too often, but make sure to examine the area after a shed.
- Eyes. Leopard geckos have eyelids, so skin can get stuck in this area. If the shed around the eyelids does not come off completely, you risk infection or injury. In severe cases, your leopard gecko could go blind.
Now you know what stuck shed is, but what can you do about it? Here are a few tricks to help your leopard gecko is shedding becomes a problem:
- If the retained skin is stuck in a non-sensitive area, such as on the major parts of the body, you can gently rub with a wet paper towel or cloth. Don’t rub too hard, otherwise, you may hurt your leopard gecko. If the skin doesn’t start to come off in a minute, then try again in 24 hours.
- Soak your gecko in a shallow bath (see bath instructions above).
- Place a moist paper towel on the stuck spots.
- For sensitive areas, immediately try a soak and then try to gently rub it off. If the skin does not come off easily, contact your veterinarian for an appointment as soon as possible.
Can You Bathe Your Leopard Gecko When It’s Shedding?
You can absolutely bathe your leopard gecko as it’s shedding, just don’t rub it too hard or try to peel the skin off yourself. The best way to give your leopard gecko a bath when it’s shedding it to follow these steps:
1. Fill a container with luke-warm water no more than the height of your leopard gecko (1 inch should suffice). The temperature should be around 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place your leopard gecko in the water, but don’t leave it alone. You should always monitor bath time so that your leopard gecko doesn’t escape or injure itself.
3. Let your leopard gecko soak for a few minutes (no more than 15 minutes in the bath).
4. Take your leopard gecko out of the bath and pat it dry (don’t rub, otherwise you may pull skin that’s not ready to come off).
How Long Does it Take for the Shedding Process?
The shedding process for a leopard gecko should not take long. In fact, most leopard geckos will be done shedding in 48 to 72 hours from when you notice pale and dull skin. Once the skin starts to flake off, the shedding process will likely be over in just 24 hours.
That being said, the most efficient shedding will occur if your temperature, hydration, and humidity are all at the correct levels for your leopard gecko. So if you notice that shedding is taking longer than usual, double-check your settings.
Lethargy & Shedding?
Some lethargy can be expected with shedding, especially if your gecko hasn’t eaten for a few days. However, persistent lethargy paired with other issues, such as abnormal poo, refusal to eat, or skin stuck on your leopard gecko, may indicate further issues. Lethargy could indicate retained skin, parasites, or an infection.
The first things you will want to check are your enclosure temperature and humidity levels. If those are normal, make sure your leopard gecko has enough water. Dehydration can be a leading cause of lethargy, so make sure your leopard gecko has enough water. Particularly, you’ll want a shallow bowl that your leopard gecko can crawl into to drink and soak.
Finally, check your substrate, sometimes sand can cause health problems and impaction. If your leopard gecko does not perk up within a couple of hours, call your vet and decide the next steps from there.
Do Leopard Geckos Eat Their Shed?
Like many other reptiles, leopard geckos do eat their own skin after they shed it. For new leopard gecko owners, this may be shocking the first time you see it (and gross, quite honestly). However, they eat their skin because of the embedded nutrients and minerals.
Some leopard gecko experts also believe that they eat their own skin so that they can hide from predators. After all, if you leave your skin lying around it’s an easy sign that you’re in the area. However, most experts agree that the nutrients are much more important and that hiding from predators may just be an added bonus.
If your baby or juvenile leopard gecko does not eat its shed skin, that’s totally normal. Not all babies will eat their skin right away, and they will start to eat their shed more frequently as they get older.
You also might not see your lizard eat its skin every time because they often will eat it while they are hiding. So one second you might see skin, the next it could be gone. Easy clean-up on your end!
Common Leopard Gecko Shedding Questions
Will Leopard Geckos Eat While Shedding?
It’s fairly common for leopard geckos to stop eating or lose their appetite when they are shedding. However, it depends on the gecko and their normal behavior. If your leopard gecko does not eat when shedding, make sure you remove any extra food from the enclosure. In fact, you never want to leave leftover food in your gecko’s enclosure because it can rot and produce bad bacteria.
Do Leopard Geckos Like to Be Held When Shedding?
While this will depend on how well your leopard gecko is socialized, its temperament, and how often you hold your leopard gecko, you may want to give your leopard gecko some space while it’s shedding. Shedding is not a comfortable process, and leopard geckos work hard to remove their shed skin.
Some leopard geckos do become more agitated during the shedding process and may act out. But not all leopard geckos will do this, and you know your pet best. Typically, a good gecko owner will watch their leopard gecko’s behavior while it’s shedding to decide if it should be handled or not.
You also don’t want to put unnecessary stress on your gecko, because that could lead to shedding problems. So, it may be a good idea to give your gecko space for the 2 to 3 days it takes for it to shed.
What if My Leopard Geckos is Not Shedding?
If your leopard gecko is not shedding, a few things could be going on. Firstly, if your leopard gecko was a baby when you got it but has now reached adulthood, odds are your leopard gecko just doesn’t need to shed as much anymore.
For new pet lizard owners, the transition from a baby who sheds weekly to an adult that may not shed for a month and a half is a big change. You don’t need to worry about how often your leopard gecko shedding as long as it’s eating, defecating, urinating, and moving around regularly.
However, there are a few things to watch for in the case of a non-shedding leopard gecko. In the sections above, we discussed how parasites can play a role in preventing a healthy shed. But your enclosure should also be at the right temperature, humidity, and be set up with places to hide. If you notice that your leopard gecko isn’t shedding, check these before starting to worry.
Illness can cause shedding difficulties, so always monitor your leopard gecko for strange behaviors. Odds are, you know your leopard gecko best. So if you notice any abnormal behavior, it’s best to call your vet to figure out the next steps.