| A bearded dragon sheds its skin regularly. In order | | | | problem. When a problem shed occurs, or one that is |
| for this to happen, he requires the correct conditions. | | | | too slow to start or finish, you need to figure out |
| In captivity these conditions are aided by a basking | | | | why it is happening and correct the problem. |
| lamp and warm environment. Together with | | | | - First, analyze the environment, diet, etc. Are their |
| exfoliation would be the sun lamp. As I mentioned, | | | | any signs of pain and discomfort? |
| dragons love to bask in the sun. To create this | | | | - Correct the problem (adjust heat, lighting, |
| environment, we give them a basking lamp under | | | | photoperiods, diet, etc.). |
| which they sit for hours. (Don't forget natural sun is | | | | - If the beardie has started shedding, but not |
| very important for him - being a desert creature, he | | | | properly completed a shed, you can help it along. |
| needs large amounts of Vitamin D). | | | | Soak them in a tub of warm water (95-99 degrees |
| The skin comes off in large patches. Don't help them | | | | F) for 10-15 minutes, then begin gently rubbing their |
| to pull it off--you can damage the new skin | | | | skin. Make sure the skin is removed from their toes, |
| underneath. Letting them soak in shallow warm (98 | | | | spikes, and tails. |
| deg) water or misting them helps shedding. Exfoliating | | | | - If there is still retained shed in these problem areas, |
| dragon | | | | wrap the wet beardie in a warm damp towel, then |
| Going into shed is not a real fun thing for beardies. | | | | wrap that in a dry towel. Sit down with it for 5 |
| Most get rather cranky during this time, with some | | | | minutes or so, then expose a small area of the crest, |
| becoming hissy or snappy, objecting to being held or | | | | or a foot, and begin to gently work at the retained |
| touched. The best thing to do is to respect their | | | | skin. |
| ill-feeling as much as possible. Some beardies will | | | | - If there are several layers or one very resistant |
| greatly reduce their food intake during a shed, others | | | | layer, rub some mineral oil into the area while the |
| stop eating altogether until after they have shed. | | | | beardie is still wet from the bath. This will help lock |
| Offer a nice warm bath to help keep the skin moist | | | | the moisture from the bath into that area. Do this for |
| and offer fluids for beardies that are off food. | | | | a couple of days (bath followed by the mineral oil |
| Problems during Shedding | | | | worked into the skin); this should get enough water |
| A problem shed is a shed that isn't happening like a | | | | wicked up between the layers of skin to make them |
| normal, healthy shed should. Adult beardies normally | | | | very easy to remove. |
| shed in pieces, a problem shed would be where it is | | | | You might wonder as to where all the shedded skin |
| taking too long, or where skin is retained in problem | | | | has gone. Some beardies will occasionally eat some of |
| areas, such as around toes, spikes, and tails. A | | | | their shed. This is not a problem as long as the |
| problem shed is a sign of an even greater, underlying | | | | beardie is maintained in a clean environment. |