White, dusty coat on my Dragons

[Inccubus]

Hello,
I bought a pair of dragons a few weeks back. They both seemed to be coated in dust, although I was told they were in shed mode. I know it could be either but it seems like it is dust coating their scales. I don't think it is just the process of shedding. I'm using the Lowe's Play Sand which may be too fine and dusty. The person that sold them to me was using white calcium sand. As I mentioned before, they had this white coating back then as well so not sure if it was his sand, mine or both contributing to this. Or if it's another issue altogether. It really does not seem like a simple shedding issue. I have bathed and misted them several times since. When they are wet, of course the colors are fine. After a few minutes back in the tank however, the colors die out. I recently installed a Powersun 160w, hanging above their 40 gallon breeder enclosure. I am wondering if the new lighting will help. The male eats just fine. Crickets, meal worms (both dusted). Collard greens, carrots, yellow squash...The female does not eat her vegetables yet. She does eat her crickets and worms but she does love the phoenix worms so I will be making that her staple food. I'm considering changing the substrate to something else, maybe crushed walnut. Anyone have any suggestions? Thank you. I can send pictures as well but I do not see the option to attach on this thread. Thanks again.

 

[william488]

everyone here, including me, will tell you to get them off the sand and do not put them on the walnuts. any loose substrate can cause obstruction, beardies like to lick things and sand, bark, sawdust, crushed walnut shells, can get stuck in their digestive system. I would suggest newspaper, paper towels, or for better look, non-adhesive shelf liner or non-adhesive linoleum or even tiles. all are easy to clean and safe for your beardies. As for the "dust" it could be coloring from the sand staining the beardies, or if its truely dust, then yes from the sand bing too fine. Take them off of it as soon as possible. Good luck.

and welcome to the forums lots of great information here.

 

[Onlymediocre]

Go ahead and take that sand out, and dont use the crushed walnut either, any loose substrate can cause an impaction. You can use tiles, non adhesive shelf liner, reptile carpet, paper towels, newspapers... you dont want to use anything ur beardie may ingest.

What are the temps in the tank. Make sure u take them with wither a temp gun or a thermometer with a probe, those dial ones can be up to 20 degrees F off. Basking spot should be between 100-115 and cool side around 85.

Mealworms are also known to cause impaction, they have little meat and a very hard shell. Its not suggested to feed those. Phoenix worms are a great staple.

Also not a good idea to house dragons together...one will be more dominate getting the better basking spot and more food, they may fight and lose toes or tail tips or worse. If its a male and female ur female can be overbred. Its just generally NOT a good idea, Id suggest separating them ASAP.

Heres a thread that shows how to post pics on here >> viewtopic.php?f=30&t=167225

Also you didnt mention a uvb light...UVB is VERY IMPORTANT.. Get a reptisun 10.0 tube or the arcadia 12%... Make sure to get the TUBE not the coil, ALL COIL BULBS are known to cause health problems with beardies. And be careful to get the reptiSUN not the reptiGLO.. theres a big difference. the ReptiGLO is not safe.

 

[TheWerewolf]

Actually Onlymediocre he is using a Powersun. Which puts out UVB and heat. I believe it is the only MVB safe for beardies. I agree about removing the sand. And I believe crushed walnut shell is worse. You could get the non loose substrates the other two posters mentioned. And the white dust on the dragons is probably caused by the sand. I also agree with what the other two have said. And it would be good to know your temps and what you are measuring them with. Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from Health to Enclosures

 

[Inccubus]

Thank you very much for your responses peeps. As far as the sand substrate and impaction, I do not feed them in their enclosure with the sand. I remove them and feed them in a different area with paper towel as the substrate. I am well aware of the pros and cons of different types of bedding. I know others who use the Walnut Shells, which is why I brought it up. If I do not intend to feed my dragons on the shells, is there any other reason why I should not use it? These two are definitely not "lickers", they do quite well on the sand actually, aside from the obvious staining that seems to be happening. Remember, they were already like this when I purchased them, meaning that white, calcium sand that they were on for some time, may have been the main culprit, although I'm sure this play sand is also contributing. I definitely will get rid of the sand. Basking area temp is about 96 degrees. I may have to lower the powersun a bit to increase it. The basking log is somewhat raised so the temp may be a bit higher for them. I am using a digital thermometer with a probe. These are two quick pics of the female. One when she is not wet, and the other wet. Thanks again.

 

[Catalyst]

I'm not sure if this particular name brand is still around, but if you're looking for a loose bedding check out bed-a-beast. It was a coconut fiber bedding that came in bricks. You added water to it to get it to expand and then spread it out to dry before you put it in the enclosure. It had a texture somewhat like peat moss from what I remember. Since your dragons are adults (so they poop less frequently - loose substrates do hold more bacteria from their waste) and eat outside of their enclosure, I think it would be a viable option for you.

 

[vampy]

she does look like she's readying to shed. with babies it happens pretty fast, but with older dragons they can look dull for a while before the skin comes off.

i'm more concerned that she looks really really skinny. can you weigh and measure her?