# Shedding

_Permalink: https://geckinspect.com/CareGuide/shedding_

Growth drives shedding, so how often a crested gecko sheds depends on its life stage: about every 1 to 2 weeks as a hatchling, every 2 to 3 weeks as a juvenile, every 3 to 4 weeks as a sub-adult and every 4 to 6 weeks as an adult. A fast-growing gecko sheds at the short end. The shed itself takes about 10 to 20 minutes and usually happens overnight. You often will not see it, the animal eats its own shed immediately. The tell is a duller, chalkier-looking gecko one night, then a clean bright one the next morning.

- Stuck shed on toes, tail tip, and around eyes is the most common husbandry problem. Root cause is almost always low humidity.
- Fix: increase misting, raise ambient humidity to 80 to 100% for 2 to 3 nights, and provide a humid hide (plastic tub with damp moss).
- Stuck shed on a toe cuts off circulation. Remove within 48 hours or the toe can be lost. Soak the gecko on damp paper towel for 15 minutes and peel gently with a damp cotton swab.
- Never pull, if it does not come off easily, soak longer.

_Source: Geck Inspect Care Guide. Updated 2026-10-18. Cite https://geckinspect.com/CareGuide/shedding_