[gecko]Leopard Gecko Concern

[Julie Bergman]

Audrey Brown wrote:

> At 02:51 PM 8/8/2007, you wrote:
>
>> What kind of substrate, depth of substrate? Size of humid box? Are 
>> there any skin sloughs remaining during the behavior?  I would 
>> sterilize the humid boxes, maybe some tiny pest has taken hold 
>> causing irritation to the gecko's skin. If you have access to a 
>> microscope maybe you could have a look at the remaining gecko's skin.
>
>
> Hi Julie,
> This girl is kept on newspaper.  Her humid box is an Exo-Terra Snake Cave
> which measures 9.8" x 7.4" x 4.7".  The substrate inside is reptile 
> moss that
> is replaced ~every 2 weeks.  There is no skin remaining when this girl 
> goes
> through a shed.  We monitor all the leos closely because some do 
> retain skin
> on their toes.  When that happens we soak them & use blunt tweezers to 
> carefully
> remove any remaining skin. 
> I will have her entire cage, including humid box, sanitized.  I do 
> have a microscope
> & will definitely take a closer look at her skin next time she sheds.
> Thanks so much for the advice!
>
>        
>
I would say the geckos with shed remaining on their toes likely do not 
have moist enough substrate to shed in, inspite of this particular girl 
not having skin shed on her toes it could be her issue also. I would try 
vermiculite. Reptile moss is likely not moisture retaining enough. An 
intelligent guess! Also the Exo-terra cave may allow too much air to 
circulate depending on the size of openings. You can experiment with 
using both substrates and see which on the geckos like better to see 
what I mean. They like a moist place to hang out, especially during the 
day.

Julie B.

> Audrey Brown, L.V.T., L.A.T., C.M.
> Animal Facility Manager
> Biology Dept. - Central Michigan University
> 117 Brooks Hall
> Mt. Pleasant, MI  48859
> 989-774-2469
> mailto:audrey.l.brown@cmich.edu
>         
>