Jabberwock Reptiles

When most people think of shedding reptiles, they think of snakes and sometimes lizards. The fact is that turtles and similar reptiles shed – or molt – too. You can see it on their feet, face, head, neck and tail. The skin doesn’t come off in the way that of a snake does, but rather in the way that a lizard’s skin does in pieces. So if you see your pet turtle looking like it’s turning into a rag doll, do not be alarmed: It’s normal. You can certainly help the process along, though.

Mist the Cage Daily

This will keep the humidity higher so the turtle or tortoise will have enough moisture for the skin to peel off as it should. During times of shedding, you can mist more often, but always keep the cage from getting soaked. Just a light mist will suffice.

Keep Live Plants in the Housing

Live plants help to keep the humidity up. You don’t want it overly humid, so don’t make it look like a jungle. A couple plants will help.

Make Sure the Pet Has Water

This includes water for drinking and water to soak in if it wants. If the housing does not already have a source of water such as a little pool, put some water in a large flat dish and secure it inside of the housing. If the pet is of a desert type rather than one that spends all of its time in water, set the water in the housing for a while and monitor it. If the turtle or tortoise wants to spend all of its time in that water, remove it for a while. It doesn’t need to stay that wet for that long because it will become susceptible to shell rot.

Feed It Some Supplements

Make sure you are dusting the turtle’s food with a vitamin supplement. This is especially important during a shed because the animal will lose some nutrients getting through the process.

Check for Loose Skin

If you are convinced the shed is complete and there is still some skin hanging, you can moisten it and help it along; however, do not do this before you are sure the process is complete.

We always advise that if you see something extraordinary, you should call the veterinarian. Just like with humans, if there is something wrong, the sooner you catch it, the sooner it can be dealt with and, hopefully, fixed. You can also give us a call, and we may be able to recommend something for you.