My beardies tail is turning black

[cierahailee]

I just got our my bearded dragon and his tail is turning black half way down and all the way to the tip. It wasnt like this yesterday and he shed like 3 days ago. Is this bad and if so what could be causing it?

[wilomn]

I just got our my bearded dragon and his tail is turning black half way down and all the way to the tip. It wasnt like this yesterday and he shed like 3 days ago. Is this bad and if so what could be causing it?

Need a picture to be sure but it sounds like necrosis, which is bad.

[cierahailee]

I dont know how to put a picture on here.

[wilomn]

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=16400

We'll need pictures of the tail in particular.

[cierahailee]

I hope this helps. I have never used photobucket before. His tail is not as dark as it was when I first noticed it but is still does not look like it normally does. His entire body is usuall all the same color. He has a tiny piece of shed that did not come off at the very tip of his tail, could this have anything to do with it?

[cierahailee]

I also think he is acting a little more slugish today than usual. I just dont understand because he was perfectly fine last night.

[DutchHerp]

That doesn't look like necrosis much...

[wilomn]

Whew. That looks like natural shading, not dead tissue.

Their colours lighten and darken according to temperature, mood, food, genetics and relative levels of stress.

Yours looks good. It's probably just a little stressed out today. If you're like the typical keeper you also fed it well today. It may just be sleepy from that.

I'm sure some of the more beardie knowing members will opine when they see this thread.

[cierahailee]

Ok then here is another question for you how much do you feed a beardie when he is at about 8 inches long? I have been feeding him about 20 crickets a day and 2-3 wax worms a week. Am I over feeding him? I know the pet store told me that about 10 a day and then some one told me on here that 50 crickets a day. I dont know whats right and whats wrong.

[wilomn]

I always feed mine until they're done eating or I run out of bugs. Same for greens. I don't worry about them over eating.

I don't feed every day though. Insects 3 or 4 times a week and greens 3 or 4 times a week, sometimes both on the same day, sometimes not.