| There are many factors that contribute to the | | | | drink and as a source from which water can |
| proper growth and good health of a leopard gecko. | | | | evaporate into the air to make the enclosure humid. |
| Aside from housing, temperature, and feeding, one | | | | When the leopard gecko is shedding it should be |
| must also provide the proper humidity. Humidity is | | | | observed. Pay close attention to the areas around its |
| needed for skin shedding, an important part of their | | | | toes and claws for the presence of any skin that |
| life cycle. Humidity, a moist box, and observation can | | | | was not shed. If there is any incompletely shed skin |
| make the shedding process easier for the gecko. | | | | in these areas, then increase the humidity in the |
| Why is humidity important, you might ask. Well, when | | | | enclosure and continue to monitor the situation. If an |
| the animal is shedding, the increased humidity or | | | | increase in humidity does not help solve the problem |
| moisture in the air helps them to get out of their skin | | | | in those problem areas then one can get a very |
| more easily. The humidity in their living quarters, called | | | | shallow dish and fill it with lukewarm water. Place the |
| a terrarium, should be around around 40%. Many pet | | | | hard to shed areas in the lukewarm water for |
| stores sell devices for measuring humidity. | | | | several minutes. Monitor the reptile to see if the skin |
| Humidity in the terrarium can be increased by | | | | easily peels away with time. If that does not work |
| spraying mist in the air. The temperature of the | | | | then you might need to consult a veterinarian. |
| terrarium should be around 80 to 85 Fahrenheit in the | | | | The pet owner needs to be aware of the following |
| day, and this combined with the mist sprayed in the | | | | two interesting facts. Leopard geckos eat the skin |
| air should make the atmosphere humid. | | | | that is shed and young reptiles tend to shed more |
| A box with an opening large enough for the gecko to | | | | often than their adult counterparts. This is because |
| fit into should also be provided. The box should | | | | the youngsters are growing. Skin shedding is a natural |
| contain damp paper towels and be moist. Note that | | | | process in leopard geckos. It is one of the factors |
| the reptile might also use this box as a nest box to | | | | that contributes to the proper growth and good |
| lay eggs, or as a hiding place. A shallow water dish | | | | health. Aside from housing, temperature, and feeding, |
| should also be inside the enclosure. The dish needs to | | | | one must also provide the proper humidity and |
| be cleaned and refilled with water daily. The water | | | | temperature to help the lizard with the shedding |
| from this dish doubles as a place for the animal to | | | | process. |