Re: Batman, Flash, Vraska, family! More faves from Disney!

We brought Batman home when he was just two weeks old and today he is 10 weeks old and 10.5 inches! His tail started to shed again today...I think he's going to be a big guy

First night home: Keegan (my 3 year old human) and Batman!

Just 2 weeks old!

He did this a lot at first. A little wave

First full shed!

Hanging out with daddy!

Meeting Hailey (my 9 year old human)

He's just not a morning dragon...

He's becoming such a big boy!

Well...there's our little buddy! We're so proud of him!!

 

[sweetiepie9]

I so agree with all of you, my boys are very close to me and even if I don't always have time to snuggle them all, they seem to be at peace with it, so I've stopped feeling guilty. Titan is the one who got snuggles tonight, the rest were asleep by 4p but I got him back from the vet after 3p, so he stayed with me, poor little guy.

So I know what you mean about the closeness you have with Batman, getting him back to good health took a lot of work on your part but you both did it and look at him now! Makes for an unbreakable bond. Those who get beardies to just "look at them" miss out on a lot and their dragons will not live as long as ours, either, because they thrive with the love & contact from us "big lizards" :lol: .

 

[KristineM]

Thank you , Esther! You really seem to have a FULL plate!! Wow. It's always so lovely to hear from you!!!

Ughhhh...I know, I know...here goes: I'm concerned about Batman's tail. You know, that one thing a lot of us stress out over the most.

This is the progression of today's bath time. It starts at about 10 minutes into his 20 minute soak/swim. Yes he has started to black beard after 10 minutes but my mindset is still stuck on 20 minutes...has to be 20.

Please know that we do drain water and add water throughout which doesn't bug him and I use the sink to add the water. The temp stays the same pretty much throughout so I KNOW he's not cold.

When he started his bath he was all "one" color, so to speak. Evenly colored, I suppose. Ten minutes in he beard gets dark, darker, black and I SWEAR his tail changes at the same rate to very, very dark.

I'd appreciate it if anyone here has experienced this or if it's normal? Something isn't right?

Back in his viv, still dark tail...no dark beard:

Then we found this. Jeremy sort of rubbed/scratched it a little, which was no bother to Batman...but it wouldn't come off. Not raised, no defined line, nothing. Just a white spot?

His tail isn't hard, stiff, doesn't seem to be peeling. It "bends" fine and doesn't bother him at all when we touch it...

I just checked again and it's back to normal. Just that one white spot that has no different feel or texture to it.

Any advice? Suggestions? "Calm down, it's fine" kind of thing?

It's never happened before and ABSOLUTELY darkened WITH his beard. As for the white...no clue? :?:

 

[KristineM]

Awwww...Deb. It's so nice to have such wonderful people here who truly "get it" and are proud to share the same feelings and emotions so freely

 

[sweetiepie9]

So that has to be a few scales left from a shed, called a retained shed. And yes, the end of the tail can be dark any time but it doesn't mean anything. All of mine's tails are dark like Batman's. So what I'd suggest is getting some pure cocoa butter, you can get a stick in the Dollar Store, that's what Diane gets, can't remember the name of it. Anyway, it has to be pure, nothing else added to it and you just rub it on the tail and within a couple of a days, that white retained shed will come off. It's very handy to remove any retained shed and it really works.

 

[KristineM]

I got it all! Will start tonight...what is SO weird is he is all one beautiful light color now...including tail. No darkness at all...how can that be? Yes that white spot is their but his tail is BRIGHT as the rest of his body. I swear. Gonna go take a pic now to show you. He's all "milky" haha! That's what I call him when he is (to me) picture perfect

 

[diamc]

Kristine, I agree with Deb, that is just a small area of retained shed. Sometimes the fluid in that area is right under the surface (like after a bath) and other times it isn't, that's why you notice the white & it's not visible all the time.

As far as the darkening of the beard & tail during his bath when you haven't done anything different. more male hormones kicking it. Completely typical and he is just learning all the different things he can do and he is trying to get you to react. Don't let it bother you, but he is winning as she's worrying you. :wink:

 

[KristineM]

Ok...but this is him NOW. Is it something that presents itself in his bath? Or when wet? I am really confused. Take a look, please?!

I swear I'm not insane. Pics from last night AND today have NO TOUCH UPS OR CORRECTIONS AT ALL. It really does happen only in the bath and at the same time his beard changes.

I trust you all with not just Batman's life but literally my own...so as always I am following all instructions.

Is this not bizarre? Is that normal for retained shed to appear and then...not??

Edited to add: I guess Diane just explained it. Sorry. I hate when I do that. It's less often but I still panic at times

 

[diamc]

It's fine to react Kristine, no worries about that or Batman.

 

[KristineM]

BUUUUUT...it's normal? There's a bit of retained shed? Treat it? He CAN change colors of OTHER parts of his body than JUST his beard?
Just wanna get it straight. I want to LEARN it.

 

[Esther19]

I, too, have been confused by the appearance and later disappearance of shed. I have heard others say the same thing, so I'm guessing it's not uncommon. I'd just put some cocoa butter on it and see what happens. Yes, they can change colors of other parts of the body besides their beard, their tail in particular. I wish I could tell you why, but I can't. Hormones sounded like one possibility.

I could have sworn my Fred was going down to brumate, but he has perked back up, and is scratching to get out of his cage again, which he hasn't done in weeks. Go figure. That may be a hormone swing, too. Who knows? I do so wish they could talk!

 

[diamc]

It's quite common for them to have a little bit of retained shed here or there. Yes, you can use the cocoa butter stick but it may not come off until he next sheds.

Yes, they can change other parts of their bodies other than their beard. Males can get a darkened beard and/or tail in a heartbeat, really. I have seen it many times and I'm sure Deb will agree.

 

[CountofCasualty]

Thresh will go darker on her body if she's upset, but won't stress mark, as well. But if she's happy she goes all light and pretty. Colour change is totally normal as far as I know.

 

[KristineM]

That's so weird. Had no idea they could change colors other than his beard. Oh, and it's all back like it was last night minus the beard. Tail is dark and white spot is present. Hasn't even had a bath yet. So, my bath time theory means nothing I guess!

We'll just treat it like a yucky shed as I'm watching him rub his face all over the tree branches. Running his bath now.

I adore HIM, the weird things that come along with him...not so much!

Thanks everyone. The tail and beard are really the most noticeable color changes and yesterday's was so obvious it just made me wonder what the heck was going on!

 

[KristineM]

Flash

Vraska

They impress me more and more each day! Both are hanging out on top of their substrates and logs lately AFTER doing exactly as they should by immediately burrowing to bask after feeding.

They're SO freaking social!!!! I love it!!

Of course, they burrow. Also, burrow as soon as lights go out to go to bed. Proud mommy right here!

Treating Batman's tail exactly as I've been taught, too! Will continue to update on his tail. I'm convinced with all the guidance that all should be just fine. He's entering his second shed in 2-3 weeks? Which means growing? Which means progress?

 

[Esther19]

Yes, he's growing! Yes, there's progress!!! Yay!!! I love you! In my next life I want to come back as one of your pets. Cissy's arm is shedding. That's exciting, too.