I saw him eat a few crix today but I can still see his hip bones. He is much more brown than a regular wd. (he looked like this when I got him) Where does the browning come from? is it a symptom of Metabolic Bone Disease? and can I remedy it by the UVB light I got him today?

here are the viv readings:

Cage temp: 85-88
Hot spot closest to lamp: 90
cool side: 83


lights: 18" 5.0 reptiglo UVB flourescent bulb and a night glo 60 watt light.

the screen top is in between Henry and the UVB. I read that small hole screen filters the UVB, would a common 20 gal screen top do this as well?

80% humidity

__________________
Alexa.

1.0 Ball Python, Draco
1.0 Bubblegum Snow Corn, Apollo
1.0 Chinese Water Dragon, Henry
0.0.1 New Caledonian Crested Gecko, Jespyr

HerpHobbyist since 2001.

Your temps and lighting seem fine. DId you just get him ?

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Ken
" The United States Marine Corps......sure we are a department of the Navy,,,,,,we're the MENS department "

yeah I just got him yesterday. i checked him all over and all I could find was a slight blackened lower front lip (i suspected this was from rubbing) and his dorsal side is all brownish. plus he seemed to have the beginnings of emaciation. (which is why I bought him)

ive been spraying him and he seems to enjoy it. he also seems to have adequate energy.

I caught him at his waterbowl so I know he's drinking.

About how many crix should a baby wd eat a day?

__________________
Alexa.

1.0 Ball Python, Draco
1.0 Bubblegum Snow Corn, Apollo
1.0 Chinese Water Dragon, Henry
0.0.1 New Caledonian Crested Gecko, Jespyr

HerpHobbyist since 2001.

As far as crix go, try letting him eat until he is full, but not over doing it. He could be browning due to shedding or could be build up of old shed. Do you have a water bowl large enough for him to soak in?

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MARSHA

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

yes, i have two actually. one is under the heat lamp for evaporation and the other is for the regulation of the humidity and the other is a large rock bowl as big and as deep as his body.

i tested the water and its pretty cold. its under the florescent light, when I added the flourescent uvb the cage temp went up from 84 to 88 so I figure it would help the water too...or maybe I should just pour in warmer water?

hoping for a shed in the next 3 days... im supposed to call the pet store in another day to tell them how he is doing. they only got him in a week before yesterday... so they had not seen him poop or eat... (he was on orchid bark with no uvb and dirty shallow water.... ) i hope to see him poop soon too so I can get a fecal.

__________________
Alexa.

1.0 Ball Python, Draco
1.0 Bubblegum Snow Corn, Apollo
1.0 Chinese Water Dragon, Henry
0.0.1 New Caledonian Crested Gecko, Jespyr

HerpHobbyist since 2001.

To help get him to poop you should put him in warm water, about 80 deg and rub his tummy, this usually helps..and as for his skin being brown its his way of telling you hes unhappy, cold or stressed...since you just got him its normal for him to be stressed, so I wouldnt worry too much just yet...you also want to make sure to give him crix no bigger then his head...I have 3 chineses water dragons..one little guy and 2 that are almost adults...they are great little monsters!! Good luck and keep us posted...Also your temps and humidity are just about perfect....so hes just stressed Im sure...do you have his water bowl heated? I have mine heated to about 83 deg F

Amirra I have followed up on the reptileforums web forum (HeavyMetal) and seen the pictures of your new buddy. He/she looks great its just the hatchling brown on him still. Keep an eye on the lighter belly tones, those will be your best indicator for health and stress, his brown dorsal markings will stay brown untill he sheds.