The process of shedding known as ecdysis. Bearded Dragon Shedding is a normal expression.
As a dragon grows older, their skin is not stretched. This means they need to shed the old skin to make room for fresh skin.
First time keepers who shed may sound odd. However, it’s normal and healthy.
The frequency at which bearded dragon sheds depends on a variety of aspects. Most common are diet, wear-and-tear habitat temperatures, growth rate and temperature.
If you’re looking to know more about the reasons Bearded Dragons shed, how it takes to shed them, and how you can assist, then read on!
Why do bearded dragons shed?
The scientific name used for sheds is ecdysis.
The skin of a bearded dragon is rough, and is mostly comprised of scales that are keratinized. The protein keratin isn’t elastic, so when a dragon is old, its skin is not able to stretch.
It means that when a dragon grows larger, their skin is at the exact size. They need to shed it to grow.
As humans , we have a constant process of shedding cells. In reptiles, this whole process takes place at once.
They generally shed its outer covering.
This exposes the skin’s inner layer that has already developed and appears bright and shiny..
The shedding of bearded dragons typically involves flaking over a number of regions rather than shedding in one piece (e.g. as a snake sheds).
The skin usually falls off in chunks which your bearded friend will take off with their mouths. It is common for bears to eat skin and is an unique trait for this kind of animal.
It is common to see large chunks of skin that have been discarded in this manner.
This isn’t a painful process for your dragon as it will take care of everything himself.
Bearded Dragon Shedding Process
The process of shedding varies based on age and the environment. In each stage of life, your lizard sheds in different rates and over different lengths.
Hatchlings shed differently than Juveniles that differ from adults.
How often do bearded dragons shed?
The bearded dragon’s hatchlings shed their eggs the most often.
The hatchlings shed their skins almost each week. This is due to the fact that your hatchling growing at a rate of 1 to 3 inches every month and has to change their skin rapidly. If your hatchling sheds less frequently , this is fine. However, if they’re not shed at all, it is best to bring them to the vet.
As they age, less they shed
| Age | Shedding Frequency | What is the reason? |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchling (0 up to six months) | One to two weeks | They are always outgrowing their skin due to their rapid growth. |
| Juvenile (6 from 18 to 6 months) | 6-8 weeks | Juveniles continue to grow rapidly, but they won’t outgrow their skin as frequently as hatchlings. |
| Adult (18 months plus) | A couple of times per year | Because of the constant wear and tear. |
Youngsters lose less off than hatchlings, and they shed their eggs every six to eight weeks.
A six-month-old child sheds every four to six weeks. A twelve-month-old baby sheds once every couple of months.
When your Bearded Dragon ages, He will shed less frequently.
Adults shed once or twice a year. The transition from being a child to adult usually takes place around 18 months of age.
There are a myriad of elements that can influence the amount of hair shed in adults, so it can be unpredictably. Adults shed once or twice per year.
What is the time frame For a Bearded Dragon To Shed?
The rule of thumb is that the more mature bearded dragon gets, the longer their shed will take.
As hatchlings and juveniles, shed only last for about a week.
They shed more at a higher frequency than adults. It is essential to let them finish their shed prior to starting another one:
- The shed of a hatchling lasts approximately 3 to 4 days.
- The shed for a young child may last for a week or even two.
- A shed for adults could take as long as three weeks.
As your dragon enters the age of seniority, it could be up to three weeks for them to shed.
After three weeks of the process, an adult should be completing the process.
If, after 3 weeks, an adult has large amounts of slack left, it might be some that are stuck in sheds.
Bearded Dragon Shedding Behavior
Bearded dragons shed their fur, their bearded dragons, there are four subtle changes in their behavior to be aware of.
These are all normal and shouldn’t be something to be concerned about. A sign of shedding is the following:
- Skin Color.
- Diet.
- Appearance (e.g. eye bulging).
- Behavior.
If the time comes that your Bearded Dragon is getting ready to go, their appearance will begin to darken.
The loose patches of grey skin start to separate. The older skin will appear dull and gray. The new skin will be shiny and bright.
It is not unusual to see Bearded Dragons to experience an appetite loss when they shed.
The refusal to eat food prior to or after the process can be normal as well. Bearded Dragons generally aren’t hungry during this time since they feed on themselves.
In the wild, food is scarce and difficult to locate. As a way to evolve, the species ate their sheds in order to preserve nutrients that are lost due to shed.
If a dragon with a beard loses its appetite but shows no any other indications of illness it’s most likely to be due to the process of shed. It is recommended to keep feeding them.
Another characteristic to be observant of is eye bulging.
Eye bulging in many reptiles is a method of communicating. Eye swelling is a common feature in Bearded Dragons is a common indication of shed. The eyes can appear dull and blue as well.
Eyes that are bulging assist in loosening the skin around the head and eyes.
Eye bulges excessively out of the shedding area could be an indication for high blood pressure and Atrioventricular block.
Bearded dragons can also display an erratic behavior when they shed. Common behaviors include pressing against a stone or branch or hard surface, and eating the skin they shed.
Why is My Bearded Dragon So Tired?
It is common for bearded dragons to display signs of apathy when they shed.
This is due to the fact that sheds require a large volume of power. To remove old skin, they have to be pressed against different surfaces to break it off.
He’ll become less active inside his enclosure in the next few days prior to and after the shed.
Why is My Bearded Dragon irritable when Shedding?
Shedding isn’t the most enjoyable process to Bearded Dragons. It can cause them get itchy and uncomfortable.
The amount of energy that is lost due to shedding is also stress-inducing for them.
In this period, it’s recommended to avoid handling.
How Can I help a Shedding Bearded Dragon
A well-planned and arranged habitat is the most important thing you can offer to help. Properly tended and set up habitat are important to be doing no matter what shed they have.
There are three ways you can do to assist them in losing weight:
- Put the rough materials within their environment.
- Check UVB lighting.
- Provide nutrient supplements.
1. Place Rough Materials in Their enclosure
When a bearded dragon starts shed, it is best to set up rough materials inside the enclosure for them to rub against.
They rub against rough materials to release or loosen skin pieces.
The materials shouldn’t be too sharp , but must have enough strength to facilitate the process of removing skin.
The wild Bearded Dragons use branches and rocks to help grab the dead skin. Some of the best materials for use include:
- Branches.
- Rocks.
- Slates.
- Substrate (e.g. Reptile carpet).
In addition to rocks and branches, you can also put in triangular-shaped hides.
2. Diet and water
If your dragon’s bearded isn’t receiving the proper diet, it could cause serious health issues , and not just impact shed.
In the absence of enough calcium in their diet , they may develop metabolic bone disease.
A calcium supplement that contains vitamin D3 is recommended to be added to the diet of an adult and the same calcium powder can be utilized for hatchlings and juveniles.
It is crucial to know more about the details of the right bearded dragon’s eating plan and remember that hydration is as crucial as the diet.
3. Check Terrarium Set Up
The final step to do to ensure that your Bearded Dragon is in a good health shed is to ensure they have the proper habitat (i.e. the right lighting, temperature, as well as humidity).
To maintain the quality of light, you must utilize tubes-shaped UVB light, and change it each six-month period. It is recommended that they receive 12 hours of sunlight every day in order to replicate their natural surroundings.
They should also include an infrared infrared bulb of 40W to 75W. basking bulb.
Their basking temperatures can begin at 95 to 105 and a cooler side at 75-80.
The level of humidity should be maintained between 30 and 40 percent.
A bearded dragon will be content in the heat of the surroundings in bright colors and placed upright over the surface of basking.
Why is My Bearded Dragon not shed?
There are a variety of reasons the reasons Bearded Dragon might not shed.
Many issues with shedding are related to poor grazing, malnutrition or low levels of humidity
- A poor diet.
- The lack of water hydration.
- Unsafe UVB lighting.
- Improper environment temperature.
Inability to shed hair is called dysecdysis. Dysecdysis is a problem that affects 25 of of pets Bearded Dragons.
Dysecdysis could be caused by health problems such as tumors, parasites and blisters and ulcers. They can be caused by skin infections due to not maintaining their enclosures clear.
Your dragon’s bearded face could delay shedding due to the fact that it lacks smooth surfaces for it to rub against.
It is best to never cut or pull off skin pieces from your dragon’s bearded.
If skin pieces hang loose, it’s because they’re still in contact with the sensitive skin beneath. The pulling off of the skin can cause injury and pain.
It is crucial to be patient and realize that shed is an inevitable aspect of bearded dragons’ existence.
It is only helpful only if the shed has been cleared and you find areas that have stuck shed.
Bearded Dragon Stuck in Shed How Can I Help?
Bearded dragons are prone to experiencing stuck sheds when they aren’t getting enough food.
Stuck shed is usually found in the tail, close to the eyes, and on the bottom of the belly, and on the feet.
When Bearded Dragons age they will be more vulnerable to sticking shed. Skin that has aged and isn’t shed on time can cause blood flow, which can cause infections. It could lead to cells dying in toes and fingers. A severe stuck-outfall in the tail could cause more problems.
If your bearded dragon’s not shed properly, or has a stuck shed, be sure to examine the temperatures and the humidity. Even if you have the correct humidity levels, occasionally stuck sheds can occur.
If your Beardie is stuck in a shed, there are many options to assist:
- Bathing.
- Misting.
- Shedding Aid.
- Oils.
- Examine for a loss of blood circulation.
Bathing
Bathing is an excellent start to aid in shed.
Make sure you fill a bowl or container with water that is lukewarm to the level of your dragon’s bearded eyes. Put it in water, and ensure that the area with the stuck shed is completely submerged.
Give them 15 minutes to wait and do not let them go without supervision.
After bathing, take a few minutes to gently scrub the area with a brush. Since adults take longer to shed their skin, it’s recommended to bathe them every couple of days.
Misting
In addition to bathing, you can attempt to mist your dragon.
Spray water droplets over your Beardie’s head as well as body. Concentrate on areas where your lizard might have difficulty shed and spray them with mist daily.
Misting is often helpful in the process of shedding by increasing the amount of humidity in the tank.
Oils and Shedding Aids
Another method you can apply to aid sheds stuck is to shed the aids as well as oils.
Oils and shed aids are sprays specifically designed to moisten the dried shed.
Use them only in the last instance when it comes to misting or bathing.
The most popular locations for sheds to become stuck are the fingers as well as the tail the tip.
The sheds that are stuck in the dirt may go unnoticed for a number of months which can lead to necrosis. This is the primary reason why it is quite common for dragons with bears to lose a portion of their tail or fingers as they get older.
Be sure to help with a gentle touch when you are helping someone with a stuck shed, so as to avoid causing discomfort.
Summary
You now know the reason Bearded Dragons shed and what this process entails.
It is important to remember that hatchlings shed the most frequently , and shed around every day. Adults shed only once or twice a year.
With the proper environment and humidity, your Bearded Dragon should be able shed on his own.
Stuck sheds are common, however it is usually nothing that like a misting or bathing session can solve.
Making the right steps to avoid a shed that is stuck and avoid handling is crucial for ensuring that your Bearded Dragon will enjoy a long and healthy life.
If this information has been helpful to the beardie and you, as well Beardie Let The Reptile Bay know via the comment section below!
