pic of shingleback eating its shed

[Richard.C]

20130910_143303-1.jpg

whilst watching stumpies today the male that recently shed started eating some of his shed

[Lea]

You obviously aren't feeding him enough, Richard. Poor hungry shingleback

I'm certain that a lot of mine eat their sheds, as I see them start shedding, but apart from looking new and shiny, there is little evidence left afterwards. Never caught them at it though, great capture, Richard!

[Dakota]

I have thoughts my guys are eating shed, as well. Like Lea, I find little to evidence of shed laying around no matter how much I dig through the substrate.

[Bluish]

My Meraukes eat their shed to varying degrees. Some seem not to eat any at all but I have one that eats every little scrap. I'm pretty sure my Northerns don't eat any of their shed.

[bluetonguerocks]

poor little boy!

[donkeybuff]

I think my Northern eats some, because I can't seem to find any even though he's shed twice on his current substrate. My indo, however, does not.

[Fred Gaal]

Here a picture where my male aspera eat his shed.

[Richard.C]

nice pic fred,normaly these guys shed in almost one big peice,probably why they dont always eat it,mind u they may eat the smaller bits that arent attatched to main shed

this male shed in big pieces,not his normal full length piece

[sdraiders619]

Y do they eat their shed?

[Lea]

Y do they eat their shed?

There are a few reasons. One is that it contains vitamins that are actually beneficial to your skink. It's a good calcium source.
It's also possible that they do it to prevent leaving a scent trail that may attract predators and/or a way to tidy up their living environment, again to reduce risk of predation.

It's also possible that they do so out of habit, since it will have a slightly salty taste that may be pleasing to eat- kind of like when humans pick and eat scabs!

[acanthurus]

I've seen mine eat everything from dog poop to bark, but havent seen them eat their skins yet! The westerns seem to love the taste though.

Love the black shingle Fred. Hope to get a couple of those myself one day.

[Richard.C]

glad im not the only one thats seen them devour dog poop

[Susann]

Humans pick and EAT scabs?!?!?!?!?!? I'm sorry, I've got to go lay down now..... EAT???
You know what? Don't answer that; I don't want to know.

[bluetonguerocks]

Scabs have some nutritional value, Susann

[Dakota]

:hurl: Humans pick and EAT scabs?!?!?!?!?!? I'm sorry, I've got to go lay down now..... EAT???
You know what? Don't answer that; I don't want to know.

Gosh, I was the same way.. after I read that.. I just closed the laptop and took a break. I have never heard of people eating scabs.. too gross for me.

[Lea]

As a nurse, I've seen people pick and eat a whole lot more than a mere scab. This little fact doesn't bother me- once you've seen a human do finger painting and self nourishment with their own poop, not much fazes me at all

It's not just skinks that are capable of disgusting eating habits

[donkeybuff]

As a nurse, I've seen people pick and eat a whole lot more than a mere scab. This little fact doesn't bother me- once you've seen a human do finger painting and self nourishment with their own poop, not much fazes me at all

I am at a total loss for words.