Leopard Geckos are lizards and just like any other reptile, it sheds its skin. Do not panic when you notice that a shedding leopard gecko is turning ghostly white. It is not sick. This pale or whitish color is a sign that the Leopard Gecko will start shedding its skin.
How often does this occur? The rate of shedding in leopard geckos is determined by the rate at which the leopard gecko grows. In a sense, it is just like changing clothes. As you grow, your old clothes would no longer fit and so you buy new ones. For the Gecko, it changes its skin. A leopard gecko sheds its skin throughout its life but the quickest sheddings occur at the juvenile age when the Gecko is growing fast. During this time they may shed every two weeks. The frequency decreases to once every 4-5 weeks when the Gecko becomes an adult. The process is usually complete within 24 hours
As the gecko sheds its skin, additional nutrients such as calcium must be available to it. Provide calcium in a dish, that is quite shallow, and place it inside its enclosure. Likewise, food must also be provided for the leopard gecko.
When you notice that the leopard gecko's skin appears to the white, this should be an indication that shedding is complete or almost complete. When the process is complete, the gecko will feed on the skin it has just shed. This is a normal occurrence. The skin provides the leopard gecko with additional nutrients it needs to be healthy.
Give it a few minutes to eat. Then slowly lift your pet. Check if it has completely shed the skin in all areas of its body. Examine the spaces between the toes and all areasof its tail to see if all the skin has been shed. If a shedding leopard gecko has not completely shed all its skin then the remaining unshed skin might cause an infection to set in. If there is still skin left, this is a clear indication of lack in humidity. Increase the humidity inside the enclosure by spraying water mist into the enclosure from time to time then observe the leopard gecko to see if the remaining skin eventually sheds completely.
If tjhe geclp is still not able to shed the skin in those difficult areas then prepare a lukewarm bath. Place lukewarm water in a container. Be certain that the container is large enough to fit the Gecko inside comfortably but not too deep so that the gecko will not be in any danger. The water level in the container should be such that it covers those areas of the body that the gecko is having difficulty shedding the skin. Let the leopard gecko remain in the water for several minutes. The unshed skin should come off quite easily at this point but if it does not then a veterenarian should be consulted.
Shedding in leopard geckos is a common event and a natural part of their life cycle. From time to time, however they might experience difficult when shedding their skin. Leopard geckos kept as pets should be monitored more closely during this time to help ensure that the humidity levels inside their terrarium is adequate to help with the shedding process.