Wondering IF or WHAT I might be doing wrong...Dulling colors

[MrMerle]

I have three dragons....Lizzy (5 month) Lenny (4 months) and Lucy (1 month). The older of the three are in custom enclosures (3 feet long two feet high and about 1 1/2 feed deep) with basking temps of high 90's, cool side in the mid 70's, and a reptisun 10 uvb bulb. The youngest is in a 20gal with a basking spot of 105, cool side of mid 70's, and also a reptisun 5. I am wondering if i am doing something to cause them to lose their color? I had reptiglo bulbs because they were recommended to me and then i read all of the negative talk about them and switched bulbs. Their diet consists of dubia, kale, collard greens, and cantaloupe. I dust with calcium and vitamins at least twice a week with the older ones and every feeding with Lucy. I soak them 1-2 times a week. Right now i believe Lenny is having some stress from being moved to his new cage and can cause them to be darker and same with Lizzy. That was a week ago tomorrow. But Lizzy lost her colors months ago.....is this just part of them getting older? I thought their colors were to come out more every time they shed? I am going to enclose pictures in this order.....Dragons when i got them, current, and the cage that they are in ....

Lizzy

Lenny

Lucy

also the day i got her

Like any parent i just want them to be healthy and happy......

 

[MrMerle]

Lenny shows some red/orange when i bath him and touches of green and lavender sides......but then in his cage he gets brown/dark brown

 

[Cammy]

The only thing I can see that is off are the basking temps for the two older ones. They may have grown a lot since you got them, but they are still babies, which means they need higher basking temperatures than the high 90s. Aim for at least 105F, but you can even let it get up to 110F. You don't need to worry about putting them on adult temps until they are closer to 1.5-2 years old. Raise their temps and give them a few days to see if that helps.

Is it just the older two that have dulled down or is the little one doing it as well? And hate to ask since it sounds like you're on top of things, but just in case, what kind of thermometer/temp gun are you using to measure temps?

 

[MrMerle]

all three colors have dulled....I use a digital on the cages and a inferred gun to monitor basking temps and random areas in the tank to make sure that they are all kosher....i will change the basking areas temps to low to mid 100s......but the youngest is in the proper temp and she has also dulled in just a week....

 

[MrMerle]

I have changed the basking area so the temp will be higher....does any one else have any ideas? Will the bright colors come back?

 

[MrMerle]

its when they are in their cage....their colors come back some what when i bath them and when weather permits and i take them outside......havent been able to do that for a couple of weeks now that we are in october

 

[Beardednoob]

How old are the UV lights?
All the UV's are linear correct?
What is the basking temperatures now?
Are you using a digital with probe thermometer(s)?
How close to the UV source can the dragons get while basking?

What is the diet?
How often are they fed?
Are you dusting with calcium and multivitamins?
If so to what schedule?

 

[MrMerle]

How old are the UV lights? Just replaced all of them a week ago....the others were 5 months old
All the UV's are linear correct? No, they are CFL's for right now
What is the basking temperatures now? 105, 107, 102
Are you using a digital with probe thermometer(s)? yes along with inferred to check basking temps and to confirm temps in other areas including cool side
How close to the UV source can the dragons get while basking? 12-18 inches

What is the diet? Kale, Collard Greens, cantaloupe, and dubias....during the summer i would let them go in the yard and eat clover once a week
How often are they fed?2-3 times a day
Are you dusting with calcium and multivitamins? yes
If so to what schedule? every other day usually but at least 2-3 times a week....with the older two "the oldest will eat it plain...she loves it" and the youngest one every day

 

[Gail]

I think the dull colors are most likely from improper UVB. Linear repti sun 10.0 are the best, the type you are using do not provide the proper UVB. Also, the dragons need to be able to get within 8" of the UVB. Get them under the right lights and I bet they color up in a couple weeks.

 

[MrMerle]

ok, will work on getting that done! Anyone else have any input?

 

[Beardednoob]

I think the dull colors are most likely from improper UVB. Linear repti sun 10.0 are the best, the type you are using do not provide the proper UVB. Also, the dragons need to be able to get within 8" of the UVB. Get them under the right lights and I bet they color up in a couple weeks.

Agreed

 

[rdoyle]

What about sheding??? some of them look like there tails are about to shed.

 

[MrMerle]

Lizzy is about to start her shed....it seems like one part of her body is shedding at all times