Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I work in a local pet store and we recently got in 2 sub-adult bearded dragons from our local breeder. They both came in looking like regular bearded dragons, we put them onto a lime green Calci-sand and one of them "turned" lime green, just like the sand, the other one did not. The thing is that we've had them for over 2 months now and have changed their sand many different times to different colors, they're currently on fluorescnet blue & black Calci-sand, and that one still remains lime green. The color does not wipe off, but it just seems really strange. I asked our breeder and he said that he was working on green bearded dragons, but I had never heard of them before, and our breeder's a little odd. I've been working in the pet industry for over 6 years now and this is the first time I've ever heard of them. If anyone has any ideas on what's going on please let me know. I will try to post a picture sometime next week.
Thanks!

I would blame the sand. They shouldn't be on calcium sand at all, most people will tell you that it is very bad for beardies, causing impactions and dying your dragon funny colors. Normal playsand is cheaper and better for them.
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Our dragon is a Citrus Sandfire/Super Orange cross. When he came to us at 7 weeks he was very green. He is now VERY orange--except the top of his head is a citrus/green with some orange details...so it can be the breeding.

I don't think the sand could permanently change his color. Has he shed recently?

You will find MANY people on this forum and most other reptile forums who are against Calci-sand. It has been documented to cause impaction/death in bearded dragons. My vet told us to stay away from it. The form of "calcium" in this product is NOT digestable--it even hinders digestion! It clumps together in the intestinal track and does not "pass"--leading to impactions/constipation and death. Look down a few posts and you will find some interresting links.

HTH

PS can you take a picture of the dragon--we are all curious.

just how green is it? the dye in the sand can last through the next shed and even 2. I feed pellets and when they lay in the food bowl they change colors from the dye as well.

sometimes i give them kool aide

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Bennett

Home Of The Florida Orange
www.beardiedragon.com

I work on Friday and I will try to get a picture of him. I will also take them off of calci-sand. I thought that it worked the other way around and that calci-sand was digestable. He's been through about 4 sheddings so far. Thank you for all your input.