Shedding

ecdysis

The normal renewal of skin as an animal grows; snakes shed in one piece, lizards in patches.

Shedding, or ecdysis, is how reptiles renew their skin. Snakes typically shed in a single piece and their eyes go cloudy ("in blue") beforehand; lizards and geckos shed in flakes and patches. Frequency depends on growth rate, so juveniles shed more often.

A bad shed (dysecdysis), often from humidity that is too low, can leave retained eye caps or rings of stuck skin on toes and tail tips that tighten and cut off circulation. A correct humidity level and a humid hide usually prevent it; never pull stuck shed off dry, soak and let it come away.

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baskr turns the fundamentals into practice, log temperature, humidity and weight and it scores each animal against species ideal ranges, flagging problems early.

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General husbandry guidance, not veterinary advice. Always confirm details for your species with an up-to-date care sheet, an experienced keeper or an exotics vet.