molting? shedding?

[jhigh81]

I have noticed the last week that the skin on my russian tortoise head is peeling. Do they go through a molting? His behavior hasn't changed and he is still eating and soaking. I soak him twice a week, and he has a water dish at all times in his enclosure. He is kept outdoors, and eats a variety of greens. Does this look like something to be concerned about or is it normal?

 

[JoesMum]

All reptiles shed their skin (so do you actually). Snakes do it tidily all in one go. Torts do it in bits and pieces. They vary from looking a bit frayed to downright tatty.

There's nothing you can do to make it look smarter. The dead skin will rub off naturally. Don't be tempted to pick or pull as it may make your tort sore

 

[jhigh81]

Thanks! That is what I figured, jusat wanted to be safe. I wont pull it I promise (although it does look tempting lol).

 

[KimandKarasi]

Mine is doing the same thing! Does soaking more help the process?

 

[JoesMum]

Soaking doesn't seem to make any difference. When tort is ready to shed, the skin becomes loose.

Joe seems to rub his flaky skin off best by pushing through undergrowth or digging

 

[GeoTerraTestudo]

Probably just going through a growth spurt, so his skin is shedding more to make room for a bigger body underneath.