Eating Tail

[Mushusmother]

Hello! I have caught baby bearded dragon eating his tail a couple times today. I am not sure if this could be because of tail rot or what. I am concerned. I have been feeding him a steady diet of crickets and veggies. His poop has been solid but as of today it became slightly more runny and green. Is there something I should be worried about? Please let me know.

 

[KarrieRee]

Can you get a closer pic of the end of his tail please
Karrie

 

[Mushusmother]

 

[KarrieRee]

It looks like shed so I dont know why he would be wanting to eat his own tail ----- some others on here are gonna haft to respond to that---
Karrie

 

[Mushusmother]

He just shed all of his tail, I’m not sure if he shed the last end of it but he recently shed it off.

 

[KarrieRee]

Has he injured it ? Did you just get him from a petstore w/ other dragons he was w/? Is the end of it dry and brittle?
Karrie

 

[Mushusmother]

I recently got him from petsmart but to my knowledge he was alone in his cage. I just sprayed water on the end of his tail and it held the water just fine, it is drier than the rest of his tail but I wouldn’t say it is dry

 

[KarrieRee]

How many times have you seen him do this? Was today the only time ?
Sounds like he's got a good diet -- what are you using for your UVB? Is it a coil or tube and what size of tank?
Karrie

 

[Mushusmother]

His tank size is 25 gallon and I am in the process of upgrading his tank. He has a coil UVB light and I am aware that a coil light is not sufficient and when I get his tank I am going to get a new UVB light. Today was the first time I have seen him chewing on his tail.

 

[KarrieRee]

Ok that is good to hear- do you know what size tank? Recommended UVB is a Reptisun 10.0 bulb -- as far as him eating his tail ahbd or Tracie are gonna haft to weigh in on this topic--
Karrie

 

[Mushusmother]

I am going to purchase a 55 gallon tank. How do I get them to see this post and respond to it? Thank you so much for your help!

 

[KarrieRee]

You can PM both - click on their user name profile will come up on the left side it will say PM
Karrie

 

[AHBD]

Hi there, thankfully he hasn't actually done any damage. Try putting some neosporin on it and hopefully he will get a small taste + leave it alone after that. BTW, if you get a 55 gal. tank,, those are usually tall so you will need good strong uvb bulbs for sure.

 

[Mushusmother]

Thank you so much!!! After Neosporin, it is nothing to worry about?

 

[AHBD]

Well it's the first thing to try, if there's any retained shed it will loosen it and if the baby tries to bite it the taste should discourage him. Just a very small amount, a light coating and see if that helps.