Shedding: What Normal Looks Like
A clean shed is one of the better signals that a setup is working. A bad one is usually telling you about humidity, hydration or both.
What a normal shed looks like
A healthy snake sheds in a single inverted piece, nose to tail, with the eye caps attached. In the days before, the animal goes dull and the eyes turn blue-grey, then clear again shortly before shedding. Lizards shed in pieces rather than one sheet, and geckos commonly eat the shed as it comes away. None of that is a problem.
Stuck shed and why it matters
Retained shed on a toe or a tail tip does not simply look untidy. As it dries it tightens, cutting circulation to the tissue beyond it, and animals lose toes and tail tips to this routinely. Check the extremities after every shed, particularly on geckos and chameleons.
The fix, and what not to do
Do not peel it. Pulling shed that is not ready takes scales and skin with it. Raise humidity, provide a humid hide with damp moss, and give the animal something rough to rub against. A shallow lukewarm soak helps a genuinely stubborn case. If shed is retained over an eye or wrapped around a digit and does not release, that is a vet visit.
Reading repeated bad sheds
One imperfect shed happens. A pattern points at the enclosure. Low humidity is the usual culprit, dehydration is the next, and an absence of anything to rub against is a surprisingly common third. Mites and some skin infections also disrupt shedding, which is another reason a bad shed deserves a look rather than a shrug.
Common questions
Why is my snake's shed coming off in pieces?
Usually humidity that is too low, sometimes dehydration, sometimes nothing in the enclosure rough enough to start the shed. A snake in good condition and correct conditions sheds in one piece.
Should I help my reptile shed?
Not by pulling. Raise humidity and offer a humid hide, and let the animal do it. Peeling shed that is not ready removes scales and can damage the skin underneath.
Why are my gecko's toes still covered after shedding?
Retained shed on the toes, and it needs attention rather than monitoring. As it dries it constricts and geckos lose toes to it. A humid hide and a gentle lukewarm soak usually release it; if it does not come away, see a vet.
What are stuck eye caps?
A snake's eye is covered by a transparent scale that should come away with each shed. When it does not, the retained cap can accumulate over successive sheds and affect vision. Do not attempt removal yourself; this is a vet job.
Sources
Related reading
all husbandry fundamentals · common mistakes · finding a reptile vet