My beardies tail is turning black

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?

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Originally Posted by 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?

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

I dont know how to put a picture on here.

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

We'll need pictures of the tail in particular.

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/100_1725.jpg

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?

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

That doesn't look like necrosis much...

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.

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.

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.

Based on my knowledge of feeding beardies. I usually alternate greens and bugs each day. eg. greens one day then bugs the next etc.

But my experience with worms was never good. As babies, and young beardies, I always found barely digested worms (wax worms specifically) in their stool. But if the worms work for you I say go for it.

Tail looks fine. Mine are 9-11 months' old and all have had different shades at different times. It does seem to have to do with stress, temps, etc.

I fed mine at that size a bowl of different types of greens (collard, turnip, bok choy, endive), and insects 3x a day, everyday. They need the protein at that size. I would switch to small Phoenix worms instead of wax worms. I give mine wax worms every once in a while now, but not when they were younger/smaller.

Looks fine to me as well, they start turning black around that age, it just happens, most of mine are like that as well.

I wouldnt worry about over feeding. Many beardies will sleep/brumate in the wintertime. One of mine started sleeping on 10/13 and just woke up a week ago, so it time to feed and breed.

Beardies also dont shed in one piece so the tail may still have old skin on it causiny the graying of coloration. Like Wes said they will change colors from mood, temp and lighting changes. My baby beardies look amazing during the day and get real dull at night. I like to take pics after a daytime soak because their colors get real bright;)

looks normal on the tail.
As for the food i alternate each week. Greens on week, crickets the next. I don't use worms anymore because i always found them a pain in the arse to get out of the container.
You can never overfeed them, at least not that i know of. Some people restrict the amount of intake they have but i don't do that with mine. If they're not hungry they won't eat. I have found crickets in their cage a week after just because they wants greens more. And if they don't want greens they eventually get hungry and eat them.
I think of dragons like little kids. They do what they want unless you teach them otherwise. And it's only because they are stubborn

LOL i don't have any beardies but was reading the thread and just had to comment that every single post on feeding was different... putting you back at square one

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Originally Posted by Azriel01

LOL i don't have any beardies but was reading the thread and just had to comment that every single post on feeding was different... putting you back at square one

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How bout this:

Feed your animal the appropriate amount and type of food every day or every other day.

I offer greens(turnip, collard and mustard along with a little carrot) everyday. As far as live feeders, I offer them every morning for about 5-10 minutes. Usually they will stop before 10 minutes has been reached. Also, I would never leave crickets unattended in your beardy's enclosure as they get hungry too. They can and will chew on your beardy while it sleeps. I have seen pictures of what they can do. Not good. Here is an excellent source for nutrition info for bearded dragons.

http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtrem...Nutrition.html

Also here is another forum that has a plethora of info about BDs.

http://www.beardeddragon.org/

Best,
Red

both of those websites are very good sources! when i had my beardies i gave them greens every day, and every other day or 2 i would give them crickets . occasionally id give them a few worms here and there. but definately greens every day. with my hatchlings i had i used to put greens in a blender and give them to them. and feed em crickets small amounts daily.