If you’ve never owned a bearded dragon, you may be confused about the shedding process. Bearded dragons naturally shed their outer skin in order to keep up with their fast growth. While young beardies shed all their skin at once, older beardies shed in patches. If your beardie is not shedding, you should visit a veterinarian as soon as possible. Some common causes of non-shedding beardies are stress, poor nutrition, and dehydration.
If you notice that your beardie is not shedding, there may be several reasons. In some cases, your beardie is simply distracted or lethargic during its shedding cycle. After a few days, it will return to its normal self. If you notice your beardie is a bit unimpressed by the shedding process, you may want to consider a medical diagnosis. Your beardie may be suffering from a respiratory disease or other serious health problem.
If you’re concerned that your beardied dragon has lost circulation, you can use aloe vera or cocoa butter on his skin. However, be careful not to apply these products directly on your beardie’s skin, as it may burn it and prevent the shedding process. You can also apply Manuka honey to troublesome spots. If the problem persists, try changing the humidity level in the tank.
Some beardie keepers have reported that their beardies lose their appetite during the shedding process. Although they rarely experience any significant weight loss when going without food, it’s important to check them carefully and make sure nothing else is wrong. If you notice a change in their eating habits during or before shedding, take them to the vet for a medical checkup. A vet visit could help prevent the beardie from becoming lethargic or irritable.
Another cause of non-shedding is stress. Keep your beardie away from sudden loud noises, rapid temperature changes, and other sources of stress. Your beardie might be hiding in its eyes, and he may be rubbing his head or nose on the substrate, which is natural for bearded dragons. If you notice that your beardie hasn’t shed at all, the problem is most likely due to stress.
Your beardie’s shedding process is closely tied to its growth. Initially, beardies shed more often than adult beardies. It occurs approximately once every six to eight weeks until they reach 12 months of age. At this point, however, shedding can be more difficult than expected. Even at this young age, shedding can occur if your beardie’s skin is cracked or damaged.
How can I help my lizard shed?
For lizards with shedding problems, treatment is much the same as for snakes. Providing a warm soak a few times a day can help. A humidity hide can also be very helpful for some lizards, such as leopard geckos; for others, such as water dragons, try regular misting.
What do I do if my bearded dragon is not eating?
Lighting, temperature, and diet can all be corrected at home, but ideally they should be set up properly before bringing your lizard home. The remaining issues may require a vet. If an adult stops eating for more than a week, to make sure it is in good health, you should take it to a vet regardless of the reason.
How do bearded dragons act when shedding?
During the ecdysis (the shed) bearded dragons will indulge in the following to remove skin: Reptitive scratching of their bodies with their legs. Rubbing their bodies across rough surfaces. Rubbing themselves against rocks, branches or bark to loosen skin.
How do you get rid of stuck shed on a bearded dragon?
Warm baths are the best way to help remove stuck sheds from bearded dragons. Aim for giving baths a few times per week and gently massage the stuck shed with a toothbrush. Also, there are shedding aids on the market to help aid in the process.
What do I do if my bearded dragon won’t eat?
Lighting, temperature, and diet can all be corrected at home, but ideally they should be set up properly before bringing your lizard home. The remaining issues may require a vet. If an adult stops eating for more than a week, to make sure it is in good health, you should take it to a vet regardless of the reason.
What should I do when my bearded dragon is shedding?
When a bearded dragon is shedding you should put rough materials in their enclosure for them to rub up against. They rub up against rough materials to remove or loosen pieces of skin. These materials should not be too sharp but should be strong enough to aid the skin removal process.
Should I mist my bearded dragon while he is shedding?
It’s not only important to amp up misting in times of shedding, but also in the wintertime. Remember, the air can be extremely dry during the coldest months of the year. When it’s cold outside, make a point to mist your bearded dragon — and the interior of his enclosure — a few times per week.
How long does a bearded dragon take to shed?
How Long Does It Take A Bearded Dragon To Shed? Typically, a fully body shed will take a bearded dragon around 2 to 3 weeks, but this time is much shorter when they are young. For those dragons which shed portions as opposed to the whole body, it can take a week or so to complete.
How do you know if your bearded dragon is stuck in a shed?
The spots likely to experience stuck shed are its eyes, top of the head, feet, belly of your dragon, and tail. A common sign of a stuck shed is a shriveling up at the tips of tails. It may even look like they are losing circulation.
Why is my lizard not shedding?
There are many problems that can contribute to shedding problems or incomplete sheds, but the most common problem in inadequate humidity levels. Other factors include skin infections, injuries to the skin (including old scars), parasites, malnutrition, and inadequate heating or lighting.
How long does it take bearded dragons to shed?
How Long Does It Take A Bearded Dragon To Shed? Typically, a fully body shed will take a bearded dragon around 2 to 3 weeks, but this time is much shorter when they are young. For those dragons which shed portions as opposed to the whole body, it can take a week or so to complete.
Why is my beardie not shedding?
As a general rule, a bearded dragon not shedding is caused by improper habitat conditions, specifically involving too low humidity and too high of a temperature. Dehydration, stress, and poor nutrition will also cause shedding problems.
Do bearded dragons get hungry when they shed?
One of the telltale signs that shedding is approaching is a sudden loss of appetite with no apparent changes in the bearded dragon’s health. Some beardies may stop eating completely. This can be alarming for many pet owners—understandably so. Still, this change in appetite is entirely normal.
How do I feed my bearded dragon that won’t eat?
Triple check to make sure that the temperature is optimal for your dragon, and that they’re getting what they need. It helps to leave your dragon’s lights on for at least two hours after their last meal to aid their digestion. Some Bearded Dragons will also refuse to eat in the morning if they aren’t warm enough yet.
Can stuck shed hurt a bearded dragon?
The stuck shed can cause infections, loss of limbs, restricted blood supply, or even death. It also affects the eyes, even leading to blindness. Tail rot is another side effect caused by a stuck shed. Tail rot in reptiles causes the end of a beardie’s tail to darken in color and eventually rot away.
Is it normal for a bearded dragon to not eat while shedding?
It is not uncommon for Bearded Dragons to experience a loss of appetite when shedding. A refusal to eat before or after the process is normal too. Bearded Dragons usually do not eat during this time as they eat their own shed.
Why is my bearded dragon hiding and not eating?
Ensure your bearded dragon behavior isn’t just time for its brumation period. Bearded Dragon Brumation is a period of pseudo-hibernation where the adult bearded dragon spends long periods hiding, resting, and not eating. What is this? This is typically done in colder temperatures or when food or drink is scarce.
How do you get a stuck bearded dragon out of a shed?
Warm baths are the best way to help remove stuck sheds from bearded dragons. Aim for giving baths a few times per week and gently massage the stuck shed with a toothbrush. Also, there are shedding aids on the market to help aid in the process.
How long can a bearded dragon go without shedding?
From 6-12 months when most of the ‘rapid’ growth is done the shedding will be less frequent. Probably every couple of weeks at 6 months, moving to around once every couple of months at 12 months. After 12 months your Bearded Dragon will shed even less frequently.
