Is this just shedding behavior or??? I'm very worried!

[Empyreal]

So I know my dragon, Wasabi, is shedding, but I'm completely new to bearded dragons (any reptile really). I see all these things about tail rot, metabolic bone disorder, parasite, etc. and I'm already a bit of a hypochondriac so I can't ignore anything I think is strange!

This was him about 30 minutes ago:

He was in his basking spot but still really dark with super dark stress marks (when I showed up and started talking to him his color lightened. His hot side is usually around 93-102; in gave the repti sun 24inch compact fluorescent tube and two 100 watt bulbs. So I couldnt figure out why hes so dark. His throat is also puffed out? It really scared me because yesterday he was like this

Today he seems very lethargic, he's pale, flaky, and has a very low appetite compared to our first few days together. So I gave him a bath a little bit ago and he sort of returned to normal so maybe I'm just freaking out but I'd like to know for sure from people who are experienced.

I've also been worried about his tail. I can't tale if its coloring or something to be worried about. It seems to vary in darkness

So that's all. I'm sorry if this is all silly I just don't want to chalk it all up to shedding if its serious. Please help!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Wasabi is very sweet! It is very normal to worry a lot about the tiny ones.
The tail pigmentation is completely normal, most of them have darker & lighter bands down
to the tip of the tail. Prior to shedding, the entire tail usually becomes darker so I wouldn't
worry too much about it.
Is he active & basking a lot right now?


Tracie

 

[Empyreal]

Hello,

Wasabi is very sweet! It is very normal to worry a lot about the tiny ones.
The tail pigmentation is completely normal, most of them have darker & lighter bands down
to the tip of the tail. Prior to shedding, the entire tail usually becomes darker so I wouldn't
worry too much about it.
Is he active & basking a lot right now?


Tracie

Thank you! He is very sweet (a little cranky today though). I'm glad to know about the tail?. He basks a bunch and is active in spurts. As in he'll climb all around to find the best spot or to get a roach but his appetite is still pretty up and and down.

Also when will he actually start shedding? He's flaky but nothing is peeling quite yet. I give him baths daily but it still really bothers him, especially on his face.
Thanks for your help and time!