iHerp Answers: Is it normal for my monitor to be in constant shed?

iHerp Answers!

Problem?

Search Create an Account, It's Free!

Home > iHerp Answers > Is it normal for my monitor to be in constant shed?

Is it normal for my monitor to be in constant shed?

Posted By:

babsbuni

In Relation To:

Tito

My monitor seems to be in a constant shed. Is this normal? I had a friend that had a monitor and it was always shedding and looked really bad but was healthy. I mist him daily and was wondering if they like to soak? Would that improve his skin issue?


Points:	100
Topics:	General Health , Skin
Tags:	Exanthematicus, Health, Monitor, Shedding
Species:	Lizards > Monitors > Varanus exanthematicus
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Member Comment

8/6/2009 3:16:57 PM

Kovol445

From what i was told whether it is true or not i don't know its just hearsay. Monitors don't shed that often are you sure its shedding all the time and not just a pale monitor?

Member Comment

8/6/2009 3:35:21 PM

JohnJohn

Since you asked about soaking, what kind of water source do you have for him? Does he stay well hydrated, internally? I have no experience with Savannahs, but I do think that keeping them well hydrated, internally, also makes a difference on their skin quality and shedding. I know it makes a difference for my collared lizards. I like to put my collareds in a tub to soak occasionally, more for hydration than anything else because they always drink some when they soak.

Accepted Answer

8/7/2009 12:10:21 AM

magsj387

My guy takes some time to shed the more opportunity you give him to soak the better...always makes the shed go quicker. I have noticed that as he gets older his sheds take longer regardless. If you are keeping him properly hydrated I wouldn't worry about it. A common mistake with these guys are that they are a dessert lizard and need it dry. Thats not really true, where they come from the dig down deep and create burrows where is nice and cool as well as moist. So if your keeping him on sand and have a hot basking spot for him your going to get low humidity which is going to contribute to the problem. I keep my guy on Ecoearth, it drys out on top tends to stay "moist" below the surface and in his den/burrow, it stays fairly cool and moist. Hope this helps?

Member Comment

8/7/2009 1:45:48 AM

ajard

My savvy does shed a lot, and you could say is always a bit flakey. He looks to be a bit older then yours but not to much. I normally soak him once every 2 weeks and he is in perfect health. Perhaps that is just a trait of a fast growing lizard.

Member Comment

8/7/2009 2:33:43 AM

magsj387

Yeah keep in mind these guys grow fast so buy the time they finish one theyre ready to go into another

Assisted Answer

8/7/2009 12:01:23 PM

shellboa

Seems normal, mine does it. A patch here a patch there. I was told once they hit the slow down point in growth it tends to come off better and not constantly. I was like "they slow down?" I mist mine about three times a week and put it in the shower once a week. I keep a water dish in there but man it is a pain because she seems to consider that her toilet. I use coco fiber bedding and it holds moisture a little. Mine is just hitting a year old and is probably close to 18" (kinked tail) and almost 1.5 lbs. I think unless you notice some thing wrong like pus or blood or cooties (lol) that the patchy shedding is normal and just offer it more frequent baths.

Author Comment

8/7/2009 12:26:44 PM

babsbuni

I can't really put Tito in the tub cause he tail whips the crap out of me. I did however manage to put a "tub" inside his cage for him to soak and he used it as his toilet almost instantly. I have him on sand and have a heat pad under a water dish for moisture. I mist him daily so I guess the shedding thing is just normal.

Member Comment

8/25/2009 7:34:30 PM

Crazy4Herps

I agree, there's a good chance it's just because he's growing so quickly. I would just like to add that mites can also cause frequent sheds.

Member Comment

1/17/2011 7:03:11 AM

abi21491

This question has had no activity for 14 days and will be closed by an administrator unless the original poster takes action.

Recommended Action: Points awarded

An administrator will select responses and assign points at their discretion.

Original poster, please close this question out and assign points. If you have any further information in the resolution of your problem, please post it here so that others may learn from it.

You are not logged in. If you would like to participate (it's free!), you must log in, or Become a Member!