Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am worried about our Mt. Horned Dragon at the pet store I work at, he seems to be losing a lot of color, turning various dark shades of brown...is this normal??? He also seems to be losing pieces of skin, not like shed pieces, but actual pieces that I'm guessing weren't meant to come off. These patches of missing skin are on his back legs at the bend, on top, of the knee. He also has lost both horns from his head, and many of his back spikes are missing as well. Any suggestions? I'm guessing he is dehydrated, and is suffering badly from it. I take him out daily and take him to the back room and fill a tub with water, and hold him in one hand, palm up, and pour the water over his back and on his head with my other hand. He doesn't seem to mind this, I think it might be helping but I am not really familiar with this species. He seems to get a little bit of green color to him after this remedy of water dousing, but a while later turns dark again. Any info or feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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~Laura

Rejoice, the age of the fall has begun
We'll dance as the palaces burn.
--Lamb of God, As the Palaces Burn

I am betting it is shed. If he is dehydrated and has been in too dry a climate long enough to have lost spines then he probably has been having problems with shedding as well. The shed on MHDs is sort of thick compared to many reptiles and they never shed everywhere all at once. It seems they shed in parts, never in the same order either!

As for the color, it is usually brighter when they are stimulated but comfortable. Stress will cause either extreme, either bright colors or very dark colors. Illness will cause dark colors. Brown is normal as long as it isn't really dark. Also, color is more brown and dull when they are shedding.
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html