So I recently got my first bearded dragon a couple weeks ago. I’ve owned (still own one) ball pythons before, so I’m familiar with reptiles, but obviously snakes are different than beardies. He’s a baby, about 6 1/2 inches long, SUPER cute. I’ve already fallen in love with him and his quirky personality. Recently over the past week and a half, he’s been showing signs of shedding- laziness, poor appetite, dull and darker skin- but he has these white patches on his face around his mouth area to his eyes (No other white patches on the rest of his body). I know that’s totally normal for shedding, but they’ve been there for probably a week now, maybe more, and they haven’t started flaking or anything. When does his skin start actually coming off? I’m aware babies/juveniles shed a lot more frequently than adults, so i figured the process of the shed would be quicker too. I’ve been soaking him every day, if not every other day, for about 20-30 minutes. Is his skin stuck, or is this normal and I’m just being paranoid?
That is normal for them to hold shed for a while it will come off -- his eating may slow as per shedding as well as relocation stress but he should not quit eating all together -- if this is the case something is off in the tank - he needs good basking temps of 105-110 and it needs to be a bright white basking bulb temps taken w / a digital probe thermometer and or a infrared heat gun -- both recommended --- a good UVB NO coils --- tube fixture -- placement is key for this --- no colored bulbs!!! If you have anymore questions please ask
Karrie
FWIW, my temps & lighting are spot-on, and ZaRDoZ still has a few "problem areas"; some dragons just do. He had some shed stuck around his mouth from his last shed that didn't come off until his most recent (currently ongoing) shed, despite multiple baths & brushing w/ soft toothbrush.
Fortunately, he's real good about shedding other difficult areas, like his toes, eyes, ears, and tail-tip.
But then he has a LOT of things to rub up against (and he does) to help him.