Underbite

[AKnorthstar]

Not super urgent but looking for a somewhat quick response.

Hello I am new here from Alaska. I have had a ton of previous reptile and beardie experience but I have encountered something that I have not before.

A little background on my guy. I got him in July shipped here from a reputable breeder. He is a male tiger leatherback, hett hypo, poss hett trans. to be specific. He is 5 months old and now 19 inches long. He eats dubias, turks, phoenix worms, micro supers, and salad. He gets calcium with d3 powder on his buggies 5 times a week.

He lives in a 40 breeder, reptisun 10.0 6 inches from basking. It is inside his tank, no plastic or screen in the way. Basking around 105 he likes that temp. Cool side low 80's.

In the past week or so I have noticed that he is getting a very slight underbite. I contacted my breeder and he said he sounds healthy and huge...which he is. I have read conflicting views....too much d3....not enough....growing too fast, etc....

Any input?


This is him a week or so ago.

 

[athenacp]

He looks like he could be a short-snout beardie? At least from that angle

 

[AKnorthstar]

 

[destiny1998]

Hi. What a handsome guy! It looks like he has a little mbd.

 

[AKnorthstar]

Yea but how? He has the proper lighting and proper supplements.

 

[destiny1998]

I don't know to much bout it. You cam pm Drache613 and she can give you more information.

 

[Damieboo]

It could just be an awkward growing stage...my bearded dragon had an underbite for a month or so around her 6 month age. It evened out on its own and she grew a few more inches after that. As long as there's plenty of UVB and calcium intake I don't see how it could be developing MBD.

 

[Drache613]

Hello Sara,

He looks very good & has great colors. It appears he does have a slight underbite which can sometimes happen with rapid growth spurts. As suggested, during their growing periods, it can straighten out.
The calcium with D3 5 times per week should be adequate. If you are concerned about him developing metabolic bone disease you can always get some liquid calcium to get a higher concentration of calcium into him for awhile until he is finished growing.
The Reptisun 10 tube bulb is a great bulb & placed at 6 inches away, it should provide a strong enough UVB exposure for him, also.


Tracie

 

[Esther19]

Remember to change the UVB every 6 months.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

That is great you got him a new Reptisun 10 tube bulb. The other one was only 2 months old? If he was not sitting under the other one, perhaps it could have been a faulty bulb possibly.
How is he doing today?

Tracie

 

[AKnorthstar]

I have never seen him lounging so coumfy before haha the light is 6in away, its just the angle of my picture.