Bad shed advice

[WftRight]

I've had my crestie for almost two years, and she's never had a bad shed. In fact, I've rarely noticed that she was shedding. For a while, I used a dial gauge hygrometer to monitor humidity. The hygrometer typically showed numbers in the 60 to 85 percent range. I don't put much trust in those dial hygrometers, but the combination of a number that I didn't entirely trust plus good sheds gave me confidence that things were going okay. For a long time, I had a bowl of water in the cage and kept the bowl covered with a screen so that the bowl would provide humidity without my crestie being in danger of drowning. The bowl broke on the last cleaning, and I haven't replaced it. I have added a live bamboo plant, and I've assumed that the live plant would add a little humidity. Misting has been with a Habbi-Mist system that hasn't changed in the time that I've owned my crestie. I assume that the output of that system has been consistent. The nozzle still appears to be spraying properly.

In spite of these things, she came out of her recent shed with bits of skin on her feet. She can still climb glass with no problem, but I am unhappy that her shed was not complete. These pictures show some of the remaining skin on her feet.

I tried making her stand in ankle deep water for about five or ten minutes before I took these pictures. I've seen that technique work wonders for leopard geckos. Does anyone have any advice for or against the technique with cresties?

I've now installed a digital hygrometer. I don't automatically trust digital more than I trust analogue, but I hope this one will give me good numbers. I'm going to mist the cage manually in addition to continuing the Habbi Mist. I have a box of Eco Earth in the cage, and I'm going to keep the Eco Earth wetter. When I first added the hygrometer, the reading was 50% humidity, but I don't trust that reading because the top had been off the cage for twenty minutes. Even a screen top likely holds a little humidity by reducing air flow. After misting and waiting, I found the humidity in the high 70's. I'll be upgrading from the Habbi Mist soon as well, so I feel good about the long term steps to keep humidity in the proper range. However, I'll listen to thoughts about these steps. Do you think that they are sufficient without doing anything about her current stuck shed problem?

Thanks,


Bill

 

[Valley Reptiles]

That's noting big, I wouldnt really call it a problem. I occasionally see that in my groups. You can just peel that off without water.
When you have big pieces stuck then you should raise the humidity

 

[WftRight]

Thanks - I'm glad to hear that this much leftover every once in a while is normal. I'd never seen anything on her feet. She once had one little bit on one eyelash, but that went away within a day or so. The shed on the feet bothered me, but if I don't see it again for another two years, then I won't be upset.

Do you measure humidity and have a range that you try to hold?


Bill

 

[Valley Reptiles]

I dont measure it. I just spray them every night and they are fine.
I spray enough where it is mostly dry by the next day so mold doesnt grow.

 

[GoGo]

We have a tank with live bamboo growing and a waterfall in it, and that keeps it nice and humid and wet. So much so that we NEVER see him shed anymore. We used to catch him doing it occasionally but now its like on and right off before we ever get to see it.

 

[WftRight]

I've thought about going to a waterfall, but I never had any luck with the ultrasonic mist generators. I guess I'm a little soured on the idea.

 

[Bodon]

My little one had some toe shed still on the other day but now its gone, i think its just something that happens sometimes but its not a big deal. I didnt do anything special for mine and it took care of it. I think what you did for it was probably a good idea, letting it stand in some water.

 

[Bodon]

btw, thats a great looking crestie you have there!

 

[WftRight]

Thanks, she's a real joy.