Black Tailed Beardie

[ncsweetpea]

I have had Phoenix a year now and his tail is black. The rest of the body is a pretty yellowish orange, more yellow though. I am concerned Should I be???? He surely does not seem sickly. :?

 

[NightmareDisco]

What kinda black are we talking here? A pic would really help. If the tail has gone necrotic it will need to be removed.

 

[ncsweetpea]

It is OK, the guy at the pet store looked at it and said Phoenix was stressed out. I found out I did not have enough UVB in the tank. I was only using a basking bulb and heat bulb. I have that straight now and Phoenix seems pretty happy. Also, it was too humid where I had some cinderblocks that was absorbing water. So when Phoenix would poop or lay on the blocks it caused a small fungus. We got this cleared up too. Phoenix is a year old now and I just started taking care of him two months ago when my son's father would no longer let him keep Phoenix at his house. I have grown very attached to him and I read about beardies everyday as I need to be more educated so he doesnt die. This website is very helpful.

 

[Jenna8359]

If he did not have a UVB bulb for a while, you may need to look for signs of MBD. The best way to prevent this is to buy him a ReptiSun 10.0 UVB bulb! The UVB bulbs at Petsmart and Petco do not work as well as this particular on. The coil UVB bulbs do not put out enough UVB. You can find a ReptiSun 10.0 online for pretty cheap. The signs of MBD are leg twitches, head shakes, stunted growth, and deformed looking limbs. If you catch MBD early enough, you can stop its progression. Good luck and again you are great for letting him stay at your house

 

[Jenna8359]

Oh and I forgot to ask...Are you dusting his food with calcium powder at once a day?

 

[ncsweetpea]

Yes, I am dusting the greens as well as crix since he only eats crix a few times a week. He is in brumation and I am scared to death. Never dealt with this. Haha. Thank you so much for your help.