Weird shed pattern

[Chameleonkatie]

so you can see where he is.starting to shed in this picture. he will shed all like the outline of his body and his but the middle like belly part of his body either takes really long or doesn't shed at all. and there doesn't seem to be much of a schedule to his sheddings. I notice most other chameleons shed like almost all at once over a few days. He rarely sheds like that.

 

[SaintJimmy]

My chams shed usually starts at the tail.

 

[camimom]

Chams can start shedding anywhere on their body.

SOmetimes, some areas need to shed more than others, so it does there first.

 

[ChuWuti]

ChameleonKaty posted

the middle like belly part of his body either takes really long or doesn't shed at all.

As a newbie to chameleons, I would like to ask a couple of questions about this. For snakes, if some shed doesn't come off, it can create complications. The worst are when eyecaps or tail tip doesn't come off; then the snake can go blind or the tip of the tail can become necrotic, leading to a potentially fatal progressive necrosis.

Obviously eye caps aren't an issue for chams. However, is there any risk to underlying new skin that remains covered with old shed? Do you use any tactics to help with a shed? For example, for my snakes, I put damp long-fiber sphagnum moss in their hides and raise the humidity during a shed. As chams don't seem to use hides, the first tactic is useless, but what about raising the humidity?

Thanks for any information--I'm working to learn!

Sandy

 

[camimom]

Sometimes, as chams get older, they dont need to shed each body part.

SO they may just shed a foot, arm, leg, etc. when they need to.

If there is no obvious sign of shedding, its normal.

If there is skin obviously shedding, then raising humidity and extra long warm water mistings will help.

SOmetimes, tiny pieces of skin just wont come off, but its ok. So long as it doesnt cut circulation off to a body part.

THis doesnt happen often. IF it does, we suggest long warm showers, and if it still wont come off, taking a q tip and putting some mineral oil on the piece of skin to help remove it.

FOr the most part though, we just let them be.

 

[Chameleonkatie]

thanks everyone