Shed Question

RocketRocks · Postby **RocketRocks** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:58 pm

OK, Rocket's having his first shed and I've noticed he's very, very grumpy. Every time I even get near his tank he started huffing and hissing and running away. Is this grumpiness normal for a skink during sheds?

jasjmm27 · Postby **jasjmm27** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:14 pm

From everything I have heard here, I would say that it is perfectly normal for that. I have only been through one shed and my Indo is pretty much always a little grumpy when I hold him, so I didn't see any difference, however I am sure that it is normal...I know all of my other herps have been less active if not grumpy come shed time.

Raven_Vivi · Postby **Raven_Vivi** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:15 pm

my guess is it's probably normal.

Most reptiles get VERY grumpy when they're shedding.

For snakes, their eyes get cloudy and they can't see and they get super protective because they feel vulnerable.

I know geckos have hissy fits if you try touching them when they're shedding.

My guess is that your skink is probably feeling uncomfortable right now so it's being a grump ^_^

RocketRocks · Postby **RocketRocks** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:20 pm

He keeps going in circles around his cage and rubbing against his hide. It's very cute, but he must be really uncomfortable.

jasjmm27 · Postby **jasjmm27** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:23 pm

It will make him even more mad for sure, but try soaking him in some luke warm water (about "shoulder" height). When I did that with my Indo it is like the shed "exploded" off of him and he was pretty much done shedding. It is pretty messy, though so be ready to clean up.

Fatal_S · Postby **Fatal_S** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 5:35 pm

Soak him or give him a damp towel to crawl around in. It must be so odd to have another layer of tight skin on. I'd be grumpy too.

Tattoo · Postby **Tattoo** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 5:55 pm

All sounds normal for shedding. I notice when Tattoo is over his shed he is very active and happy. Such a good boy.

shingleback aus · Postby **shingleback aus** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 10:03 pm

this is very normal they can get very cranky in there shedding and normally very uncomfortable too. they are losing water so keep the water bowl topped up he should be fine do you have any large rocks he can rub himself on??

RocketRocks · Postby **RocketRocks** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 4:47 pm

I have a plastic log for him that has a hole in it. When he was shedding he'd crawl through it and it would help him. Now that he's done he's more happy and less jumpy.

SailleSkinklover · Postby **SailleSkinklover** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:30 pm

Definitely normal for the Grumpalumps.
I will warn you too, if you bathe him, the scales will come off easily, but they're very very sticky when wet! They get all over me, the towel, the sink, the drain, the floor, etc.
It is a bit like he exploded. . . :lol:

RocketRocks · Postby **RocketRocks** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:42 am

LOL, I guess that's something best done outside then. It's never winter here, so I might try that next time he sheds.

Fatal_S · Postby **Fatal_S** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:48 pm

Never winter. Bah-Humbug. You come visit me next January or February, understood? Good.

RocketRocks · Postby **RocketRocks** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:29 pm

I've been begging my parents to take me on a vacation somewhere with snow for years. I really want to snowboard, but since that's not possible here I skateboard.

I had one more question, actually my brother asked me but I didn't know it. Do skinks shed their whole lives?

Fatal_S · Postby **Fatal_S** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:35 pm

Yep. They shed often when young, especially if they're eating (growing) a lot. Once they hit adult size they still shed, but not as often. They keep growing throughout their lives.

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