Baby bearded dragon always dark

[Sageguitar]

My 2-3 month old baby beardie is always dark when he is in his viv. When I take him out to hold him they sometimes he gets lighter and when I feed him in a seperate plastic container he gets perfect? I dont know why he is being like this though? I have had him for a week now and im really worried. thanks for your help in advance.

 

[Beardednoob]

Can we get a picture of the enclosure with any additional details of the setup/routine that you can add.
Help with posting pictures to the forum....
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=152184

 

[Sageguitar]

Draco is in a 50 gallon terrarium. He has a 100 watt exo terra sun glo basking light, zilla 50 desert tube uvb. His basking spot is about 110 and his cool side is about 78-80. I am using reptile carpet. I am feeding him gutloaded crickets 2 twice a day and some baby dubias. As a treat i give him wax worms and super worms. He wakes up about 7:30 to 8:00 and I put him to bed at about 8. I give him a bath every other day and he always poops in it. I will post pictures of his terrarium on the link you posted. Any help will be greatly appreciated. I bought that specific dragon from a breeder because of his colors and he is always dark so I never get to see his awesome colors.

 

[Sageguitar]

I also put a background around all three sides so he cant see his reflection.

 

[Beardednoob]

I would swap out the Zilla 50 for a Reptisun 10.0 linear tube (strip) light.
Is your dragon over 16 inches in length?

 

[Sageguitar]

No he is 10 inches right now

 

[Beardednoob]

No he is 10 inches right now

I also wouldn't feed him superworms because of the risk of impaction. Impaction doesn't just stop at an intestinal blockage, it can progress to paralysis, burst bowels and or death.
All bearded dragons are born with an intestinal kink, this is natural. The kink doe not grow out until the dragon reaches ~ 16 inches. After said time the dragon can better digest feeders such as superworms.

 

[Sageguitar]

I cut the heads off then cut the superworm up and give it to him in pieces but just occasionally. I just bought a repti- halogin bulb by zoo med to replace his exo terra sun glo and i am hoping that will help. I was trying to find him a repti sun 10.0 tube but I couldnt find one. I guess i will order one online. Would a repti sun 10.0 compact bulb be ok?

 

[iheartmydiva]

he's cold, adjust the temps straight away!

 

[Beardednoob]

I cut the heads off then cut the superworm up and give it to him in pieces but just occasionally. I just bought a repti- halogin bulb by zoo med to replace his exo terra sun glo and i am hoping that will help. I was trying to find him a repti sun 10.0 tube but I couldnt find one. I guess i will order one online. Would a repti sun 10.0 compact bulb be ok?

Compacts/coils are the worst bulb a dragon can have, the second worst bulb is a reptiglo. I would get a Reptisun 10.0, if this is not at a stor elocal to you, they can be ordered online from places like amazon or petmountain. If this is not the choice you want, you could get a MVB but, with a MVB comes different setup and some of the same possible health concerns can still arise if the particular dragon doesn't agree with the bulb.

It is not the head of the superworm that is the issue it is the entire worm and unless you are blending it up into a worm smoothie I would recommend feeding them.

 

[Sageguitar]

Ok thanks i will stop with the superworms. I just order a reptisun 10.0 uvb tube and the hood for it from pet mountain and hopefully that will help. Should the repti halogin help with his colors to?

 

[Eadig]

it sounds like a heat issue, not a UV issue.

What's the temp of your basking spot as opposed to your cool side?

 

[Sageguitar]

My basking spot now is around 110 but in the afternoon the bulb get real hot and can get up to 115-117! I dont know what to do about that problem. His cold side is about 80-85

 

[Beardednoob]

My basking spot now is around 110 but in the afternoon the bulb get real hot and can get up to 115-117! I dont know what to do about that problem. His cold side is about 80-85

I have thermostats for this sort of this.
http://www.reptipro.com/reptile-supplies/heating/thermostats/zilla-1000-watt-temperature-controller.html

Plus you can consider other methods such as a fan in the room etc..

 

[Sageguitar]

Ok thanks should the repti halogen and the reptisun 10.0 help? I already bought the repti halogen but the reptisun 10.0 is on its way.