Foot Discoloration & Pores

[lilwill8929]

My beardie's feet are a darker, much different color than his legs. Is this normal? I got the best pictures I could because he wasn't really cooperating. They are just a darker brownish color. I want to make sure nothing suspicious is going on here. Also, do his pores looked clogged or do they look ok? If you look at the foot on the second picture, you can see where it goes from light to a dark color.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

The pores do begin looking that way once they physically mature & the hormonal substance which is waxy will darken up & fill in the pores.
As far as the feet, they look like they might be getting ready to shed possibly? Do you have him housed on sand?

Tracie

 

[lilwill8929]

No he's actually on slate. Do you think that could be some of the color from the slate rubbing on his feet? It just scared me because I remember reading about a dragon who's feet were actually rotting and they were a different color.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

No I don't think that the slate could be rubbing off on his feet. Perhaps he is going to shed his feet. Have you tried bathing him to see if the discoloration fades or comes off?
His feet shouldn't be rotting if there is no injury to the feet, or constriction cutting off the circulation, etc.

Tracie

 

[diamc]

I agree with Tracie and a warm soak as well as using a soft toothbrush may help get rid of the discoloration or possible shed that has remained.

I noticed that you said he wasn't really cooperating when you were trying to take the pictures so I thought I would mention that beardies can't breathe very well when they are laid on their backs so it stresses them out. I may be wrong, perhaps you weren't holding him while he was on his back but thought I would mention it just in case. :wink:

 

[lilwill8929]

haha no he wasn't on his back, I was just holding him in the air. Yes, I've been giving him two baths a day to try and see if its old skin, but no luck so far. I not too concerned about it, I just wanted to make sure it wasn't anything I should be worried about. Now if I could get him to eat his greens. What do you recommend for lighting schedule? I turn them on at 8 a.m and off at 10 p.m. Is this ok? He hides under his den a lot during the day.

 

[diamc]

OK, just wanted to make sure lol.

How old is your beardie and what greens are you offering him?

Most of us use a 12 to 14 hr span when lights are on. You mentioned that he's hiding under his den a lot, could you give us a little of his set up info like size of tank, wattage of basking bulb, temps, what type of thermometer you're using, brand & type of UVB as well as age & distance of that particular bulb? Is he the only beardie you have?

 

[lilwill8929]

My beardie just turned one. Right now I'm offering him a mix of turnip and mustard greens as well as acorn squash all together. He's in a 40 gallon breeder with a 100w basking bulb. The temps at his basking spot are only at 99.5 measured with a probe thermometer. His UVB is a 10.0 reptisun. It's only about 4.5 months old, and hes about 9 inches away from both his basking and UVB light. And hes the only beardie I have.

 

[diamc]

Those sound like good healthy greens. You might want to think about sprinkling a few pieces of cilantro over the top, the smell seems to entice them. Have you ever tried collard, escarole, endive or dandelions? Those are real favorites here. You could also put a few slivers of apple, grape, melon, etc on the top too, the different colors might interest him.

One of my tanks is the same size as yours and I'm using a standard 60 watt household bulb on the basking side with a hollowed out log about 10" away and then on the cool side, I have a 25 watt bulb. I'm getting temps of 102 and 80. What brand digital with probe are you using? Do you lay the probe end so that it is touching the basking spot then wait about 45 min for the temp to stop rising before getting the final reading? Is the basking bulb a white or colored bulb? Is the UVB a coil or strip fluorescent bulb?

 

[lilwill8929]

I wanted to try things like escarole and endive, but I can't seem to find them anywhere here! (I'm in Florida). Yes I lay the probe where my dragon sits and basks. The UVB is a strip bulb, and the basking bulb is just a white zoo med I think.

 

[lilwill8929]

One other thing I forgot to mention is that sometimes he keeps his mouth slightly open. Like when he sleeps, his mouth is very slightly open, just where you can see his tongue. My cat does the same thing, but he never use to do this. Any ideas why he does?

 

[diamc]

Are you using any heating at night?

How often are you dusting with calcium and vitamins? What is the brand of your thermometer and does it have a long wire with the probe on the end?

The distance of 9" from the UVB is a little too far, with that particular bulb, it should be between 6 to 8" from your beardie.

 

[lilwill8929]

I'm dusting four times a week. No heating at night, and my thermometer is an esu reptiles, and yes it has a long wire with a probe at the end.e

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

It sounds like your setup is fine & you are using a tube Reptisun 10 UVB light so that is good. You will however, want to replace it at around 6 months or so, as the UVB will start to decline after that time.
As Diane suggested, you might want to try & get the UVB to the 6-8 inch distance, the emissions will be stronger. Do you have a screen in between the UVB & him?

Tracie

 

[lilwill8929]

yes there is a screen in between. Ya I just got this one at Christmas, so it's fairly new. Wow! I measured his temps again and it was 123.4 at the basking spot!!!! Holey moley, I went straight to the store to get a 75w which has provided much better temps. But any explanation as to why he is slightly keeping his mouth open.