Is this normal?

[littlelizyd]

Hi, we only got our bearded dragon 2 days ago so are still learning what's normal for her but have noticed she has some yellow/orange in her beard and on the back of her head and was just making sure it was normal and not some type of fungus.

 

[AHBD]

Hi there, that's normal color, very common. One question though, do you know if she was with a male ? I ask because the back neck ridge looks like it does when a male is biting there to hold the female in place while trying to mate. They chew the little spikes off if it happens too often. She's a bit thin, too. The former owner probably had her with a male. You probably saved her from a unsafe situation, she needs a little more food and less stress. Hope she does well for you ! Post some pics of her tank, too.

 

[littlelizyd]

Thanks for the reply. I got her from a reptile shop but they only had her in thier care for a few weeks and they knew very little about her so you probably are right that she was housed with a male, she seems very beat up with a few scars, missing toes and is quite underweight. Despite all this she is incredibly sweet and is so far eating all salads, crickets and roaches I put in front of her so I'm hoping she fattens up soon.

I have added a photo of her enclosure which is still a work in progress as we figure out what works and what doesn't. Any tips or ideas are welcome

 

[KarrieRee]

Please get her off the floor -- they like to be up where they can see what is going on and the floor is drafty and cold --- what are you using for a UVB? How are you taking your basking-- NO stick ons they are inaccurate-- here is a website for nutrition please ingnore the kale thing its a good staple feeder
http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html
If you need websites for insects worms I can post those as well --
Karrie

 

[AHBD]

Karrie, what are you talking about get her off the floor ? I've had large tanks on the floor or on stands/tables. O. P., you made such a beautiful place for her, great job !! Good that she's eating, I think she'll thrive under your care. What type of lighting [ be exact on uvb ] do you have ?

 

[KarrieRee]

It just seems its too hard to keep tanks warm on the floor and they cant really see anything going on from the floor --
Karrie

 

[littlelizyd]

I have been checking temps with some cheap digitals, thermometer gun and a digital probe. The UVB is the reptisun 10.0 t5.
Our house is almost brand new and well insulated, there are no cold drafts coming in. Im in Australia and its very cold were I am atm and her tank is staying nice and warm. It's hard to tell but she can see plenty of things from where she is, not too far away is a very large floor to ceiling window and she can definitely see me moving about the kitchen etc. Not only that but I have young kids and they have been loving sitting on a bean bag in front of her enclosure reading books to her, something they wouldn't do if they had to stand up and besides once she's used to her new home she'll be able to spend lots of time outside of her enclosure.
Thanks for the tips though

 

[CooperDragon]

It's great that you can set your enclosure up in a way the kids can enjoy watching and interacting. The orange and yellow coloring is quite normal, I agree. A bright orange beard usually indicates that they are content/happy. A fungal infection will often look more like a wound or scabs. Quite different than what you're seeing. Nothing to worry about =).

 

[AHBD]

That sounds like a win-win situation for everybody involved. I bet the kids love reading to her.