Shedding, or ecdysis — Replacement of the old outer layer of the epidermis. It accompanies growth but continues after growth slows, and the old skin may come away largely in one piece, as in many snakes, or in multiple pieces.
Understanding by example
Record more than the date: note retained skin on toes, the tail tip or around the eyes, as well as environmental changes and activity. A one-piece snake shed does not guarantee the absence of other health problems, and a fragmented shed is not abnormal in every species.
Common misconceptions
Pulling retained skin can cause injury. Check species-appropriate environmental conditions, and seek veterinary advice when retention recurs or constricts tissue. This definition is not a treatment guide for removing skin around an eye or toe.
Related reading and sources
For species-specific context, see Humid Hides and Shedding Observations in Leopard Geckos. Browse the full glossary.
Basic reference: Merck Veterinary Manual: Overview of Reptiles.