Hi!
Pog, my baby Bearded Dragon, is shedding. Started 3 days ago with its tail, then the legs and today the belly and back are finally coming off.
With the shed came a lack of appetite, from what I know, normal for shedding period. To help with the shed I've been giving him a long bath every day and I've increased the number of times I mist him.

I've been removing the larger skin bits from the enclosure but just now I've seen a thing that made me wonder if I was doing the right thing: he ate one of those big bits of skin.
I know some species eat the shed skin but I didn't know that beadies was one of them.

So, first of all, is it normal for Bearded Dragons to eat their shed skin and if so, should I put back those bits I've removed?

Thanks! =)

__________________
Wish list: Blue Tongue Skinks and Uruplatus =)

No Bearded Dragons don't eat their skin in the same way that leopard geckos do, but it won't have harmed him eating a bit.

You don't need to put any skin back that you've removed, although you shouldn't really peal the skin off the dragon, as if it sticks slightly or isn't quite ready to come off, you can hurt the dragon.

Also, a bath can help, and many dragons enjoy a bath, and will help it to be hydrated, however you don't need to give it daily baths or mist - Bearded Dragons aren't the same as snakes and don't require higher humidity when they are shedding; they are from the desert, and are used to dry arid regions. Babies will shed pretty quickly, but adults shed much more slowly,. you just need to make sure that the tips of the tails and toes come off properly, but we have never had any problems,.

__________________
"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004

I didn't peel any of it, I just removed the bits from the enclosure.
He's scratching himself in the wood log and it's all coming off naturally.

Thanks Rachel! =)

__________________
Wish list: Blue Tongue Skinks and Uruplatus =)

Oh sorry about that rbl - it's fine to take the skin out of the enclosure. Post some pics if you can when he's done, bet he's looking pretty

__________________
"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004

He's weird... Lighter then before with a slight greenish color shift on his back...
I've just weight and measured him... can he grow an inch in 15 days? We measured him when we brought it home and he had around 14cm (we didn't pressed him against the ruler, he was stressed enough) and now he's a couple mm short of 17cm!

__________________
Wish list: Blue Tongue Skinks and Uruplatus =)

yes of course he can! - babies grow so quickly, in a couple of months you won't recognise him!

__________________
"If you know everything you may as well blow your brains out because the reason for existence is to learn more everyday." - Mark O'Shea, 2004

I'm just surprised! =) A new reason to take him back to the store quickly!
I'll start eating crickets too, maybe I can grow a few inches too =)

Seems I've confused dates. We measured him March 20th. So he has grown an inch in 10 days!!!

__________________
Wish list: Blue Tongue Skinks and Uruplatus =)

There is also a mist spray you can buy that helps with shedding and conditions the skin, it called Bio-Mist. I know petsmart carries it.

__________________
MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Cant wait too see pics you are taking such great care of him!

__________________
Love Always,
Audrey

Owned By,

1.0.0 Iguana Iguana -Louie
0.0.1 Avicularia avicularia (pink toe Trantula)-Muffy
0.1.0 Ceratophrys ornata (Pac Man Frog)-Sparticus
1.0.0 Albino Rat -conspericy
0.1.0 Betta-Alphie
0.0.1 Apple snail- Mr. Bubbles
1.1.0 Mutt puppy's- Socks & Meeko
1.0.0 fieance-Brett

Marsha, no petsmart stores here in Portugal. When it comes to pet stores, I pretty much live in the 3rd world
But anyway, Pog has already shed and his/her appetite is back to normal =)

Ace, I have already a few pics online here. It's not very updated, last pic dates from 10 days ago and meanwhile my hard disk died and I'm waiting for a replacement with a gazzilion photos on my camera.

__________________
Wish list: Blue Tongue Skinks and Uruplatus =)