Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My bearded dragon is 8 months old and about 15"-16" long. He just finished shedding his arms, legs and head, but his torso is still faded like. It has been quite awhile now that his body has been like this and just won't pop off. Now I think that he is getting depressed, he lays his whole body down,And barley eats salad, and only a couple of crickets. He could eat too, I mean he was a little piggy on the wallet. What can I do to help him shed??? Cause it is either that or the bitter dandelion greens (store purchased)I fed him. He never ate them before and he never really thought to much of them, I think they might have upset his stomach, Is that possible??

hey try soaking your beardie in some warm water... not too hot though, dont want to burn the lil guy. sheading can be uncomefortable, and my guys completely stop eating when theyre sheding, its a quite common behaviour. dont worry unless yur guy appears ill or loses weight!

he finished his head and apendages two days ago, and then like all together started to seem weird, like lying his whole body down not under the heat light. good i'll try the baths tomarrow morning he's slepping now.

You (most likely) have nothing to worry about. I higly doubt that the greens are giving him an upset stomach, unless there was fertilizer on them and you didnt wash them off.

Almost all my dragons shed there arms legs, head , body and tail at different times in different combinations. One of the more common one is head , arms legs and tail, then body.

Soaking your dragon will help him have a more comfortable and healthier shed, it will allow moisture to build up between the layed of new skin and the layer of old skin. Which will make it easier for him to scratch or rub off.

another thing to remember is that sheddign is uncomfortable to your dragon. And when they are in shed the old skin becomes tight, so a lot of times they dont eat as much. Its like eating a big meal then trying to fit in your tightest pants with your smallest belt. Wait untill he sheds out completly then you should see an improvement in his appitite.

peace,
nate

By the way if anyone hasnt already noticed i am a horrible speller! < see thats probably spelled wrong and the funny thing is I wouldnt even know it.! lol

ok good, I'm going to bath him first thing tomarrow morning. He never acted diferent since I had him so it gave me a scare.

Body sheds always make bearded dragons grumpy and less inclined to eat much. If you are worried he isn't eating enough, offer a few crickets and a bit of salad several times a day, instead of just once or twice. Small meals more often may appeal to him more than one or two larger meals.

Soaking deffinitely helps, misting as well. Typically in a couple days to a week, he will blow that old skin off and be ravenous!
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PHLdyPayne

I agree with everything everyone has said and want to give another vote for the bathing. Darwin gets one daily (he poops in it, so we have a bit of a routine which works for both of us! lol!)

BUT - I would like to add one thing. Darwin is just 8 months (Oct. 10th), too and has been acting the same way. You may have seen my posts about brumation. This might be what is up with your guy too, especially if you live in a northern region. We went to the vet on Friday for a checkup, just in case, and he said that there are so many variables and opinions about letting a bd younger than 1 year old go into brumation, but he did agree on following his lead. So I am. When he begins to wind down, the first basking light goes out. He said just don't let his light source be on for any less than a minimum of 9 hours.

I am not saying that there is not something else going on (that a warm bath and a few days won't cure) but just to ease your mind that it may be another natural occurrence in beardie-land! Darwin has not shed for about 3 weeks, lays tight to his branch, rarely gets his pretty yellow (except when he is in his bath ot on my shoulder), goes up to 2 days without eating and when he does it is only a few crickets or superworms. If I did not know about brumation I would be absolutely sure that he was ill.

So I hope this at least gives you something else to consider and that he is likely OK. Darwin is my first beardie so I am learning along with him .

lele

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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna. She's now hanging from her big jungle gym in the sky
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

Ya I gave him two baths this morning, then during the afternoon I helped him with getting the skin off by gently rubbing him. It was awsome to see it come off after his bath, it just seemed to bust right open down his belly, he looks real light and yellowish. It just scared me that he was acting so wierd, and I could almost tell by his eyes and face something was not right. Oh ya the little bugger pooped on my leg when I was helping him, I guess he was just showing his gratitude.

One thing to be carefull of is pulling their skin off. If you are pealing the skin off and get to an area that isnt ready to come off you can damage his scales. So just be carefull. the best thing to do is let him get it off himself. But if it is stuck on his legs , toes, or tail then you can soak him and help the skin off gently. anyways, glad to hear he shed ok for you thuogh.

peace,
nate

Yeah I never pulled it, I just very gently rubbed it and he would really rub up to me. I mean he could put some force into it and push pretty hard up against my hand or leg. Beardies are so cute, by far the best lizard (or pet as far as I see)in my eyes, thanks for the concern and feedback.