Author
2,954
edits
Changes
no edit summary
==Behaviour==
==Behaviour==
Lizards tend to rub themselves on surfaces to loosen the dead skin. Their behaviour may become more aggressive, especially while being held or touched.
Lizards tend to rub themselves on surfaces to loosen the dead skin. Their [[Lizard Behaviour|behaviour]] may become more aggressive, especially while being [[Lizard Handling and Restraint|held or touched]].
While reptiles may still eat when in the very early phase of the pre-shed period, they usually lose their appetite as the period progresses, greatly reducing their food intake or refraining from eating alltogether.
While reptiles may still eat when in the very early phase of the pre-shed period, they usually lose their appetite as the period progresses, greatly reducing their food intake or refraining from [[Lizard Feeding|eating]] alltogether.
==Possible Complications==
==Possible Complications==
To fasten the shed, it might be useful to bathe or spray the iguana with water. Indeed, in the wild, humidity in the air helps keep the old skin supple and therefore easier to peel off.
To fasten the shed, it might be useful to bathe or spray the iguana with water. Indeed, in the wild, humidity in the air helps keep the old skin supple and therefore easier to peel off.
A healthy iguana will shed every 4-6 weeks during 1-2 weeks but young iguanas (2 to 3 years) may shed more often. Occasionally, a new shed may start before the previous one has ended. Shedding will slow down or stop during colder weather. Absence of shedding which cannot be linked to seasonality may be an indicator of an underlying problem, possibly associated with an inadequate diet, disease, stress, bacterial infections, parasite infestations, or other medical conditions.
A healthy iguana will shed every 4-6 weeks during 1-2 weeks but young iguanas (2 to 3 years) may shed more often. Occasionally, a new shed may start before the previous one has ended. Shedding will slow down or stop during colder weather. Absence of shedding which cannot be linked to seasonality may be an indicator of an underlying problem, possibly associated with an inadequate diet, disease, stress, bacterial infections, [[Lizard Gastrointestinal Diseases|parasite infestations]], or other medical conditions.
If the dead skin isn't shed, it may constrict the growth of the living tissue and result in avascular necrosis.
If the dead skin isn't shed, it may constrict the growth of the living tissue and result in [[Lizard Skin Diseases|avascular necrosis]].
'''For information on lizard skin diseases, see [[Lizard Skin Diseases|'''Lizard Skin Diseases''']] page.'''
'''For information on lizard skin diseases, see [[Lizard Skin Diseases|'''Lizard Skin Diseases''']] page.'''
[[Category:Lizard_Physiology]]
[[Category:Lizard_Physiology]]