My lizard's tail has missing scales. Is it shedding or sick?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
I just noticed on my desert spiny swift lizard that his tail is oddly missing scales, this had to have happened within the past 36 hours because I haven't gotten the chance to take a good look at him. Does this type of lizard shed? If he doesn't, what should I do?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on September 4th, 2017
They do shed their skin occasionally, usually in pieces. This may be what you are seeing. If looks more dull these past couple days, it could be the beginning of a shed cycle. Monitor for lethargy or decreased appetite. Soak or mist him daily to aid shedding. If he doesn't shed, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. Other possible explanations would be infection or injury. These would need a physical exam to confirm.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on July 1st, 2018
Look closely for any retained shed along that section of the tail. Next, check the temps in the cage. Low temps could be responsible. Survey the area for any negative stimuli. He could be stressed at the recent move, in which case his tail should gradually return to normal as he acclimates. If he will allow, gently press on his tail in that section to elicit a response. If he can feel it, he will move away. If not, there will be no response no matter how hard you press. If everything checks out normal, have him physically examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose injury or infection.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
We just tranferred Joey from a 40 Gallon Tank to a new 90+ Gallon Terrain... He seemed to be pretty happy till today. We noticed right before we changed tanks that he had some dark coloration on his left side and tip of his tail.. He was shedding at
Look closely for any retained shed along that section of the tail. Next, check the temps in the cage. Low temps could be responsible. Survey the area for any negative stimuli. He could be stressed at the recent move, in which case his tail should gradually return to normal as he acclimates. If he will allow, gently press on his tail in that section to elicit a response. If he can feel it, he will move away. If not, there will be no response no matter how hard you press. If everything checks out normal, have him physically examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose injury or infection.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a lizard that got out of his cage and was missing ... we found him about a week ago. He is very skinny and won't open his eyes. He's not eating or drinking. I just got home tonight and his laying in the water bowl and has lost his tail. I don'
Have him examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet to diagnose and treat any infection related to the loss of the tail. In the meantime, increase tank temps by about 5-10 degrees F, soak daily in a warm 50/50 solution of water and unflavored PediaLyte for 20 minutes. Once he warms up and rehydrates, offer appropriately sized prey. Gutload prey for 24 hours prior to offering to maximize nutritional value. Supplement with a product such as Fluker's Repti-Boost to get weight back on him. You can clean the stump with diluted betadine or chlorhexidine. Use paper towels for substrate until the stump is healed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My gecko went to shed 2 nights ago and the tip of her tail is dried. I am not completely sure what to do. The morning after she shed I checked to make sure there wasn't any extra skin and last night I noticed her tail begin to harden at the tip. I wa
Soak Lelo in a warm bath for 20-30 minutes daily to aid in shedding. Clean the tip of her tail with a diluted betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution a couple times a day. Keep her on paper towels and change them daily. Tile or slate can also be used, just spot clean daily to keep stool off her tail. Monitor for spread or resolution. If her tail doesn't heal, have her examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. She may need antibiotics or possibly have the affected portion amputated to prevent serious infection.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Lightning’s toe, on his back right foot looks a bit odd, it looks like there is no scales there , and the “skin” on the toe looks like it’s about to fall off. Also the claw is in the toe and only sticks out a bit. He was shedding a few days ago but h
Soak him in warm water for 15-20 minutes daily until the bit of shed falls off. Monitor for swelling, discomfort, redness, lameness or lethargy. Keep his enclosure clean. If he develops any of the above symptoms, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
We have a 6-9 month old leopard gecko. He is currently shedding at his head and tail and acting very lethargic. This is a rapid change from a few days ago. He seems lighter too. Any thoughts or insights would be most appreciated.
Thanks for your question about Leo lela, and I am sorry that this is happening to you both! Typically leopard geckos should shed all of their skin in a short period of time, and they often eat it so owners may not realize they have shed at all. When we see shed sticking around, like in Leo lela's case, we begin to worry about dysecdysis (retained shed). This is common when there are imperfections in the husbandry that is provided. Most frequently, there is not enough humidity present. For leopard geckos, we recommend having a humid hide available for them that is lined with moist sphagnum moss. It is recommended to have a humid hide on the warm end of the enclosure as well as the cool end to provide your gecko with options regarding humidity. As far as him being lighter - I am not sure if you mean lighter in color, which may be associated with the shedding, or lighter in weight. If you mean lighter in weight, then I would be concerned that he has an underlying issue occurring. To hel
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Stuck shed vs fungal infection on my dragon's tail?
It looks like a stuck shed. A fungal infection will present differently (raised, irritated, black patches, lethargy, loss of appetite,etc). Try soaking in a warm water bath. You can add Betadine solution until the bath looks like weak tea. This can help prevent or treat mild infection due to a hard shed. See your veterinarian or an experienced herp veterinarian if Anastasia becomes lethargic, loses her appetite or if the tail begins to get strangulated by the shed.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Loki has a spot on his head close to his close that is changing color ND it's starting to worry me. U have any idea what it could be ND what I can do to treat it at home possibly.
Thank you for your question about Loki, and thank you for the photos - they are very helpful! From what I can see in the photos, I think that you are asking about the large white area that extends from the eyes forward to around his nose and down along his mouth. This looks like areas of retained shed on top of new skin. Difficulty shedding, or dysecdysis, is often the result of imperfections in the husbandry. I would recommend starting with soaking Loki in 85-90 F water once daily for 15-20 minutes. While in the bath, you can wet a paper towel or cloth and get the areas of retained shed wet. Use caution around his eyes and nose, however, as we don't want him to feel uncomfortable or panicked. I would also suggest evaluating the husbandry and diet closely. You can consult an online care sheet, such as anapsid.org or Reptiles Magazine, and see if there are any areas that you may need to make adjustments. Common areas that require adjustment include lighting (UV lights need to be change
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My beardies colours are fading a bit, from what they normally are. and he has been digging in his incloser a lot, I am wondering if maybe he is fading cuz of the dust from digging on his body making him look dull, or maybe he is going into shed? He i
Yes, it sounds like Lightning could be in the process of shedding. Here is great article that should answer all of your questions about the process. http://pogopogona.com/caring-for-bearded-dragons/bearded-dragon-shedding Just be sure that you have all of his husbandry 100% correct (lighting, diet, supplements, humidity, temperature, etc) because that is the #1 reason bearded dragons have health issues. If he is not in the process of shedding then he may be getting sick. https://www.petco.com/content/petco/PetcoStore/en_US/pet-services/resource-center/caresheets/bearded-dragon.html Hope this helps. If you have more questions feel free to post again. Best wishes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
St the base of my young aqua iguana’s back right leg, it is very brown and it looks as if he is shedding but it isn’t spreading. His right front foot and underneath his head have become pale. Is this anything i should be concerned about?
It could be a hard shed or local infection (bacterial or fungal). Soak or mist him with warm water. Cleanse the area with diluted betadine or chlorhexidine solution daily. If the spot doesn't resolve or spreads, have him examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I’m at a loss with my juvenile, and I’m at a point where i don’t know what to do. He has everything he needs, and gets baths 1-2 times a week, and this is still happening. I’m not sure if it’s poop that got stuck, or possibly stuck shed. Under his ta
It does look like it could be improper shed in that area. I really think it is best to get him to a reptile vet for an exam. After they look at him in person they can probably give you better advice.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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