Hi I am new and am going to be getting a beardie. Anyway I went to the pet store and they have a 3 month old beardie that is shedding, now I know this is normal, but when I picked him up, he had a black spot on his belly. Is this normal or could he have been hurt? It looks like a bruise sort of. I am just curious as I kinda feel sorry for him. I have looked alot of places, but found nothing that can help. If someone can help I would muchly appreciate it.
Thank you all. Cheryl
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bearded dragon
twall
Sep 17, 2005 11:24 AM
Replies (4)
PHLdyPayne
Sep 17, 2005 04:15 PM
the black spot could be a couple of things. If it was scattered about his belly, I would think it was stress marks. As a single dark spot, it could be dirt or poop, if the cage isn't particularly clean. Only other thing I can think of is scale rot or yellow fungus disease, though the later is more yellow to dark mustard brown in late in the disease.
It is always best to buy reptiles from qualified breeders, this way you can get a more accurate age, know how much and how well it has been eating. Most breeders also keep babies in smaller groups, and won't sell them under 6" in length.
twall
Sep 17, 2005 08:18 PM
Thank you so much. I figured it to be stress or very unhappy. As for breaders are there many in or near Edmonton? I am setting up my beardie home first before I get him or her. I am starting with a 40 gallon, being told this is good for a beardie. I thank you again for your help and will deffinatly being reading all posts and posting as well. Thanks again.
Cheryl
twall
Sep 17, 2005 10:13 PM
Just out of curiousity what is scale rot? I have read on yellow fugas and saw pics of it, it don't look like that. I did tell the lady and now I hope she will either make his life less stressed and at least let a vet look at him.
Thanks
Cheryl
PHLdyPayne
Sep 18, 2005 03:40 PM
A 40 gal breeder should be alright for the first 8 months or so of the dragon's life. Once they reach near adult size or around 8 months of age, then you need to put them into a tank that is at least 4' long by 2' wide and about 2' high. Typicallly a 55 gal breeder or long tank is good. Larger is of course better.
Scale rot is a bacteria infection of the skin (or scales, can't remember now) usually caused by too damp enclosures or unclean ones or both. I don't think its common for bearded dragons to get scale rot though, unless they are kept in the wrong conditions (ie very humid cage).
