Shedding

[SnakeWrangler]

Hey,

I know this might be a silly question, but do all reptiles shed their skin?? I am thinking turtles don't but what about crocs and lizards?

Cheers.

[instar]

Turtles and lizards do, no idea about crocs though. Ill try to find out. :wink:
here ya go~

Their skin is covered with non-overlapping scales composed of the protein keratin and often studded with bony plates called scutes. (Lizard scales are similar, but lack the bony plates.) The scales are shed individually, so crocodilians do not molt (shed their skin all at once) like snakes do. This skin does not provide much insulation, preventing crocodilians from inhabiting cooler climates

from~
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.ed...rocodilia.html

more~
http://www.whozoo.org/ZooPax/ZPScales.htm

I could have told you that from first hand experience mate.... It is bloody annoying when my croc sloughs let me tell you, clogs up my filter and ****...annoying..Most lizards slough a few scales at a time, however most geckos slough in the one piece. With lizards, if you use sand as a substrate, and there are scales everywhere, take out the animal and give vacum up the top layer of sand...was recommended to me by a very reputable keeper...works wonders

[SnakeWrangler]

So in some way, all reptiles slough. Thanks guys.

[Adam]

YES ALL REPTILES SHED!!!! In one piece or multiple, they ALL shed to grow.

[Shadow]

wait.......did you say that turtles shed?!?!?!?

i'll have to see it to belive it!

[instar]

Yep Shadow, Turtles shed too, but not like snakes. There skin flakes away a little at a time from their head ,neck, legs and body showing. it goes a silvery whitish color, and just falls off.
sometimes you see them chewing at their feet to get rid of skin from the toes.
The shell is part of their skeleton, so it must grow too. The outside is made of stuff called keratin, the same stuff your fingernails are made of. As the turtle grows, each section of shell, called a scut, is slowly lifted off by the new one growing beneath.
They are a very cool pet. :wink: