can a zilla light cause a burn?

[szubelak]

So I took the reptisun 10.0 out of Ernie's tank for my rescue bearded dragon because he needed it more obviously (while we were waiting for another reptisun 10.0 to get here - got here today at 6:30 - bedtime is 7). So Ernie got the zilla bulb. I want to say he had the bulb in his tank for like 8 days. I noticed Ernie's head this afternoon and took these pictures - there are a lot because I know it's hard to see in the pictures. But it almost looks like a burn - could the Zilla bulb have done this? I immediately turned the bulb off because it is the only thing different in his enclosure. I did also lower his basking spot just in case - but it's been in the same place for MONTHS. (his basking temp is 95-measured with digital probe)

Any thoughts? anyone seen anything like this?

my poor baby

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Wow, that does look a lot like a burn. The Zilla light could cause that but what type of basking light are you using, what is the wattage & how close is it?
What are the basking temperatures?
Can you go to the drug store & find some silver cream?

Tracie

 

[MODragons]

Can't make it out clearly in your pics but can lizards with scales burn ? Seems to me you would of seen other signs of overheating before a "burn" manifested itself on the surface of the scales.

What you may seeing is color pigmentation, you can read about "morphs" and related color changes/increases in the popular book The Bearded Dragon Manual....

http://www.amazon.com/Bearded-Dragon-Advanced-Vivarium-Systems/dp/1882770595


It talks about the breeding activities of the last decade and notes that some color morphs didn't fully develop until weeks/months of varying light intensities....your "color" may be the result of that different intensity.

From my own, albeit very little, experience....my BDs get rather dull on the cool side of the tank, practically gray/tan when sleeping at night but when they're basking become a bright yellow...the male Samson gets very colorful especially on his head.....just throwing that out there.

 

[szubelak]

Thanks for the info MODragons

Tracie - not sure if you are asking for basking light or zilla light info so I'll give both - basking light is an ordinary household 60 watt bulb - basking temp is around 95 - and the light is about 6-8 inches from the basking spot (my estimate without measuring). the zilla light is a 15 watt and before he pooped on his wooden stairs he could get probably 4 inches from it if he wanted.

I have an aloe plant and used that on his head when I noticed the redness/pinkness. The red/pink is gone today. He's always had a difficult time shedding the top of his head (since I rescued him a year and a half ago anyway)- I had bought the aloe plant specifically to help him shed his head - and it did help him - he had shed most of it - but today it looks like it needs to shed again. So I'm now wondering if that played a role.

They all just want to send me to an early grave!!! All 3 of my scaley kids!! My furry one doesn't stress me like they do!

I will look for the silver cream when I go out this afternoon - I'm assuming it will be by burn remedies?