Tail slightly bent

Hello, I’m a new beardie owner. My girlfriend recently bought a bearded dragon that’s 1 years old, The other day I heard some noises from his tank and saw him in the air. He had all four arms on the glass glass surfing being held up by his tail. He’s still not that used to humans so when I touch it he moves away so I can’t tell if it’s broken. He doesn’t seem like he’s in any pain, but I want him to be as happy and healthy as possible. Thanks for the help

 

[xp29]

Wow he is a pretty dragon. He does look to have a slight tail kink, but thats pretty normal. If he has injured himself the main indicator would be black bearding. Just keep an eye on him just in case. If you can, post a few pics of your setup especially the lighting, beings your new to beardies we need to make sure your on point with the uvb and basking. If they aren't correct your beardie won't thrive. Improper basking temps cause problems with digestion and may cause them to go off food altogether, Improper or inadequate uvb causes a host of health and behavioral issues. There are a ton of helpful folk here that can and are willing to help you get off on the right foot. Care for beardies isn't hard but it IS very specific. @KarrieRee can help you get your lighting spot on if you need help with it. There is also a bunch of good guids available on this site if you want to do your own research.
Oh and welcome and congratzz on your beardie!!!

 

[jxkehyslop]

Wow he is a pretty dragon. He does look to have a slight tail kink, but thats pretty normal. If he has injured himself the main indicator would be black bearding. Just keep an eye on him just in case. If you can, post a few pics of your setup especially the lighting, beings your new to beardies we need to make sure your on point with the uvb and basking. If they aren't correct your beardie won't thrive. Improper basking temps cause problems with digestion and may cause them to go off food altogether, Improper or inadequate uvb causes a host of health and behavioral issues. There are a ton of helpful folk here that can and are willing to help you get off on the right foot. Care for beardies isn't hard but it IS very specific. @KarrieRee can help you get your lighting spot on if you need help with it. There is also a bunch of good guids available on this site if you want to do your own research.
Oh and welcome and congratzz on your beardie!!!

Thank you for your fast response, I have him a 75W basking bulb, and I’m pretty sure his UVB is a 5.0 repti sun. I just gave him a bath and his beard turned dark black, pretty sure he doesn’t like them lol. but other than that his beard hasn’t really been dark, sometimes he does get stressed and it’ll change but other than that no not really. right now I have him in a temporary 25 gallon… I know that’s very frowned upon, I’m ordering him a 120 gallon (4x2x2). His set up is very mid right now, please don’t hate me lol. Just waiting for my check to hit too order him the new tank, tiles for the flooring, maybe a hammock he can chill on and some more logs or sticks to climb on.

 

[jxkehyslop]

Wow he is a pretty dragon. He does look to have a slight tail kink, but thats pretty normal. If he has injured himself the main indicator would be black bearding. Just keep an eye on him just in case. If you can, post a few pics of your setup especially the lighting, beings your new to beardies we need to make sure your on point with the uvb and basking. If they aren't correct your beardie won't thrive. Improper basking temps cause problems with digestion and may cause them to go off food altogether, Improper or inadequate uvb causes a host of health and behavioral issues. There are a ton of helpful folk here that can and are willing to help you get off on the right foot. Care for beardies isn't hard but it IS very specific. @KarrieRee can help you get your lighting spot on if you need help with it. There is also a bunch of good guids available on this site if you want to do your own research.
Oh and welcome and congratzz on your beardie!!!

Also the pet store I got him at didn’t have a basking bulb on, he had very little stuff in his cage, it was very sad. I kinda felt obligated to buy him, pretty sure they kept heat on him at night too. He was also housed in like a 10 gallon. So buddy has just had a horrible life so far.

 

[KarrieRee]

View attachment 73762 Also the pet store I got him at didn’t have a basking bulb on, he had very little stuff in his cage, it was very sad. I kinda felt obligated to buy him, pretty sure they kept heat on him at night too. He was also housed in like a 10 gallon. So buddy has just had a horrible life so far.

 

[hdochow]

the absolute first thing you're going to want to replace is that ubv light. you want a long tube one. if you get a 24" it can also be used in your larger enclosure later.

it's so very frustrating when pet stores don't hook you up with the right things. i rescued our guy as a baby, and everything that had been sold to the previous owner was incorrect and caused severe health problems. the info on this website and help from its members truly saved his life.

 

[KarrieRee]

If your using the 5.0 bulb for your 25 gallon that is fine but it must be unobstructed and directly over the basking decor 6-8 inches - please replace in 5 months-- when you get the 120 please replace the bulb w/ a 10.0 T 5 bulb-- distance and placement will be determined by your screen- post back on here and I can help you w/ that

 

[jxkehyslop]

If your using the 5.0 bulb for your 25 gallon that is fine but it must be unobstructed and directly over the basking decor 6-8 inches - please replace in 5 months-- when you get the 120 please replace the bulb w/ a 10.0 T 5 bulb-- distance and placement will be determined by your screen- post back on here and I can help you w/ that

thanks so much for the help and fast replies everyone. I appreciate it, I’ll be sure to keep you guys updated on the journey of me and Drako the dragon. are there any good enclosures you guys recommend? I was going to order the 120 gall off Dubai roaches but they’re sold out now :/

 

[jxkehyslop]

also have seen mixed thoughts on feeding, adults are like 80% veggie 20% live feeding yes? I feed him a live feed once everyday, dust it with calcium and repti vitamin’s once a week and then feed him salad greens throughout the day.

 

[KarrieRee]

also have seen mixed thoughts on feeding, adults are like 80% veggie 20% live feeding yes? I feed him a live feed once everyday, dust it with calcium and repti vitamin’s once a week and then feed him salad greens throughout the day.

Insects 2-3 times per week - try zen habitats for tanks and I have other websites as well I can post

 

[hdochow]

we have a 2 year old. we do salads every day, bugs twice a week. he won't eat anything dusted, so we have liquid calcium get gets via dropper 3x a week and liquid vitamins he gets once a week. that way we know he gets those supplements even if he chooses he doesn't wanna eat much.

 

[jxkehyslop]

we have a 2 year old. we do salads every day, bugs twice a week. he won't eat anything dusted, so we have liquid calcium get gets via dropper 3x a week and liquid vitamins he gets once a week. that way we know he gets those supplements even if he chooses he doesn't wanna eat much.

thank you guys so much with all the help and encouraging advice. think I’ll just order one of those wooden 4x2x2 by zen and maybe get the rock back ground to go with it. Any links you guys can provide with lighting I can buy for the new 120 gallon? Also I have no idea how to set up heat gradients. I’ve also saw mixed reviews on tile inside for substrate. People say it will cause joint problems or joint pain, do you guys recommend tile or maybe a mixture? He’s never been on a soft substrate before, he’s very curious and likes to run around and lick things on the floor (cables, blankets, his rocks) I wouldn’t want him to eat it and get impacted.

 

[xp29]

He needs calcium daily for the first while, multivitamins 2 times per week. It looks like your using a compact/coil uvb, if so it needs to be replaced asap, they are horrible. Please use a long tube fixture a 24 inch fixture with a 22 inch bulb would be ok. Arcadia 12% desert t5 or a reptisun 10.0 ho t5 are good bulbs.
Beardies are notoriously hard to get to drink, some will drink in a bath, most won't. If he doesn't drink on his own you can use an eye dropper to drop it on his snout. If he still won't drink you can add a little none citrus fruit punch to give it flavor. Don't force the water into his mouth and be patient, go at his speed. He should lap it off his snout. If you go to fast or force it it can aspirate him. You can also get water into him via greens if he eats them well.
I also see the stick on guages, thise are very inaccurate. You need two digital probe type, obe on the cool in and one to get actual basking temp. The ir guns are also inaccurate they read off of the material and don't take the actual temp of the light into account. The probe type actually reads the temp of the actual light so you can pin point your temp.
I knowcyhis probably seems overwhelming but once you get it, it becomes 2nd nature. I know it can seem like some of us (especially me lol) are a bit preachy but its only because we want you to have the best experience with your beardie and him to have the best life possible. I know I've made every mistake possible, and i just try to save everyone else the headaches lol.

 

[xp29]

I use tile in 2 of mine and none adhesive shelf liner in the other. If you use tile make sure it's textured so they can get traction, i think the smooth stuff is what causes joint issues. A benefit of tile is it will help keep their nails blunted.
The zens are great habitats btw.

 

[jxkehyslop]

He needs calcium daily for the first while, multivitamins 2 times per week. It looks like your using a compact/coil uvb, if so it needs to be replaced asap, they are horrible. Please use a long tube fixture a 24 inch fixture with a 22 inch bulb would be ok. Arcadia 12% desert t5 or a reptisun 10.0 ho t5 are good bulbs.
Beardies are notoriously hard to get to drink, some will drink in a bath, most won't. If he doesn't drink on his own you can use an eye dropper to drop it on his snout. If he still won't drink you can add a little none citrus fruit punch to give it flavor. Don't force the water into his mouth and be patient, go at his speed. He should lap it off his snout. If you go to fast or force it it can aspirate him. You can also get water into him via greens if he eats them well.
I also see the stick on guages, thise are very inaccurate. You need two digital probe type, obe on the cool in and one to get actual basking temp. The ir guns are also inaccurate they read off of the material and don't take the actual temp of the light into account. The probe type actually reads the temp of the actual light so you can pin point your temp.
I knowcyhis probably seems overwhelming but once you get it, it becomes 2nd nature. I know it can seem like some of us (especially me lol) are a bit preachy but its only because we want you to have the best experience with your beardie and him to have the best life possible. I know I've made every mistake possible, and i just try to save everyone else the headaches lol.

thank you guys so much, I usually add his water to his salads daily so he gets enough. He isn’t really picky, dude literally is obsessed with my extension chord, anytime he has free time he tries to eat it so getting him to eat isn’t a problem at all. I’ll be sure to fix my lighting asap whenever I get this 4x2x2. Thinking about hanging his uvb and stuff inside of the cage since I’ve saw that the mesh blocks out a good percentage of it. I don’t think you sound preachy at all man, I’m very happy that there is a website dedicated to helping others and informing others on bearded dragon health. you guys are amazing!