[Question] Is My Skink Shedding?

[tbcorbett]

Hi again! This is the dawn of the third day with my baby skink!!

I noticed her scales looked very strange today. I figured she's shedding, but to tell you the truth, I've never seen what a BTS looks like when they're shedding. I've actually never seen a reptile shedding in person before at all!

I wanted to make sure that's indeed what's happening here, and that she's not got heat blisters or something else like that that I've read about!! Her hot-side air temperature gets to be about 95-98, and the basking spot gets to be about 105-106. Some sources would tell me 100-102 was best for Northern Blueys, others would say 100-110. Is 105-106 indeed a good temperature for her basking rock to be?

Here are those pictures as well! I hope they're high enough quality! (If not, let me know. I can try to get some more- it's just she burrowed down under the soil as soon as she realized I was checking her out. She's still kinda grumpy with me still and doesn't let me near her!! I was gonna try to start socializing her after giving her a week to settle in.) Edit: For some reason I forgot to actually add the link in. That might've helped Here it is for real! https://imgur.com/a/HxD9aY1

If anything doesn't look right or I don't have the right temperature in her basking area, please please please let me know!! I'm so worried I'm doing something wrong with my little baby.

And as always thank you so much to any help anyone can give me!!!

[IvanDanko]

Hi there and congrats on the new skink!

She is indeed in shed so nothing to worry about. A few things to look for when shed is due to occur:

- Colors appear more dull in the lead up to shedding, before regaining some of their previous vibrancy immediately before the process starts
- Changes in behaviour - may be more grumpy, restless, and go off food. They may also not defecate for a week in the lead-up then will leave you a big present once shed.

If your humidity is on point and there are some rough surfaces to assist the shed can come off like a sock off a foot in one piece. If it looks like a real struggle for her to get it off you may need to boost the humidity. Hope this helps!

[tbcorbett]

Hi there and congrats on the new skink!

She is indeed in shed so nothing to worry about. A few things to look for when shed is due to occur:

- Colors appear more dull in the lead up to shedding, before regaining some of their previous vibrancy immediately before the process starts
- Changes in behaviour - may be more grumpy, restless, and go off food. They may also not defecate for a week in the lead-up then will leave you a big present once shed.

If your humidity is on point and there are some rough surfaces to assist the shed can come off like a sock off a foot in one piece. If it looks like a real struggle for her to get it off you may need to boost the humidity. Hope this helps!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Your information was super helpful!!! She has indeed been pretty grumpy, I didn't know whether it was because I just got her or- now that I have this info, because of the shed-- I suppose it was probably because of BOTH!!

I feel so much better with your information! I'll keep an eye on how it goes for her, and keep a careful watch on the humidity and such!! I appreciate your help more than I can express!!!!

[Janella]

Hi there and I completely couldn't have said it better myself.