Crested Gecko Care Information: Molting
Creeping geckos molt periodically during their growth. Molting is a natural physiological process of shedding old skin to reveal new skin. Young individuals molt more frequently than adults, generally every few weeks. As molting approaches, the skin becomes cloudy and fades in color; during this process, the gecko twists and rubs its body to loosen the skin. It tears at the skin with its mouth and snout, typically starting from the head and working its way down to the tail. The molting process can last from a few minutes to several hours. They tend to eat the shed skin, a behavior intended to recycle important nutrients and erase traces of their presence from predators.
Incomplete molting can be caused by insufficient humidity, nutritional imbalances, or stress. After molting is complete, you must check to see if any skin remains. In particular, if residual skin remains on the toes or the tip of the tail, it can cause blood circulation problems and lead to tissue damage. If you discover any residual skin, immediately remove it gently with a cotton swab moistened with warm water, or allow it to shed naturally in a sufficiently moist environment. To ensure smooth molting, it is best to provide an environment where the skin can be naturally removed using twigs, stones, or plants, and the inside of the enclosure must be maintained at a moderate humidity level. Provide fresh water so the crested gecko can drink plenty, and mist the inside of the enclosure frequently, once or twice a day.