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Meta Description: Bearded dragons regrow scales, they shed weekly this process of shedding the scales off is called ecdysis, after the bearded dragon sheds off previous scales it regrows new ones.
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Do bearded dragons regrow scales?
Shedding, which is a normal occurrence for your Bearded Dragon, is known medically as ecdysis. Bearded dragons shed their skin as a result of growth or to repair damaged skin.
Bearded Dragons shedding due to growth:
From birth to six months of age, shedding occurs virtually weekly. This is purely due to your bearded dragon’s development. So, consider that to be positive.
A keratin-based protein makes up the skin of our bearded dragons. Additionally, it lacks porousness and elasticity. So, shedding occurs along with growth.
Consider attempting to squeeze into a small shirt or blouse. When you sit down or move, you’ll only wind up shredding it or popping the buttons. The same is largely true with beardies.
Depending on age, the shedding process varies. The shed will often be an all-over shed during those crucial developing months (0–6 months). usually just takes a day or two to finish.
When the majority of the ‘fast’ growth is complete, between 6 and 12 months, there will be less shedding. At six months, probably every two weeks, decreasing to once every few months by the twelve-month mark.
Your bearded dragon’s shedding frequency will decrease even further after a year.
A Beardie will only shed a few times a year after the animal reaches the age of around 18 months, at which point its bone and muscle growth are finished. Consider this more of a wardrobe change than anything else.
Bearded Dragons can shed due to damaged skin
Due to their surroundings, beardies’ skin surfaces are susceptible to injury, scrubbing, scraping, and battering. So, to create a new protective layer, the old skin must be shed.
What are the signs of a Bearded Dragon shedding?
When a shed is imminent, the skin will get extremely tight. Additionally, you will always notice variations in skin tone. It will forever be drab and finally, turn white before sheds. Don’t worry; this is very normal.
What to do for a shedding Bearded Dragon?
In all honesty, letting a bearded dragon lose its skin naturally is the greatest thing you can do for it.
They no longer require aid from baths, oils, or any other bullshit I’ve seen thanks to millions of years of evolution.
The right configuration and diversity of surfaces inside the setup will make a huge difference. You ought to attempt to offer:
- Rocks
- Branches
- and Slate
- Substrate
To loosen and remove a shedding body region, all of these will be needed.
- Of course, good UVB is also necessary.
- The proper heat-to-light gradient is also present.
- Supplements, nutrition, and hydration all significantly contribute to this organic process.
A bath will somewhat assist. but only for the skin that is already peeling off and broken.
Due to our beardie’s skin’s complete water resistance, it must be cracked for every water to touch the places where it sheds.
A dragon inside the bath will only be a wet dragon, I’m afraid if indeed the skin is still intact or hasn’t even started to shed.
Another typical approach is increasing the humidity in the tank or vivarium. Again, this is somewhat helpful since it is a hydration option; a well-hydrated bearded dragon sheds much more quickly.
Additional humidity in the morning and evening will also be beneficial.
Personally. Irrespective of whether my Beardies are shedding or not, I briefly spray my cages in the morning and evening. I always act in this manner.
This, in my opinion, closely resembles the morning and evening dew (mist/fog) that our bearded dragons use as a form of hydration when necessary by licking the furnishings. Or by letting the water trickle down their heads and be guided into their mouths by a capillary effect, which is known.
I’ve benefited from this throughout the years.
Additionally, this will increase the humidity naturally (simulating their burrow as already mentioned). This, as we are aware, might facilitate shedding.
Any advantage will only be seen on skin that is already damaged and shedding since any moisture can penetrate between the layers of new skin and aid in that way.
Peeling or removing the skin is one action you must never engage in.
I’ve seen other reptiles, not only Bearded Dragons, suffer skin and scale damage as a result of caretakers “assisting” the shedding process. Don’t do this; it hurts them and increases the risk of illnesses.
My Bearded Dragon is not shedding properly
Sticky or retained shed and a lack of essential nourishment would be the primary problems with shedding.
Of course, shedding can cause problems. Although in all honesty, if everything is supplied as part of your husbandry (different surfaces, lighting, water, nutrition, etc.), then problems shouldn’t arise.
Once more, they have been doing this on their own without any problems for millions of years. But it’s still possible.
Over the years I’ve kept, I’ve seen a few things. And to be quite honest, these problems have only arisen with beardies who have been rescued and brought to me. or ailment, etc. Once more, directly related to care issues.
However, blocked or retained shed and a lack of essential nourishment would be the primary problems with shedding.
Stuck shed on Bearded Dragons and substrate
The top of the head, paws, tail, eyes, and the bottom, or belly, of your Beardie, are the major places affected by the trapped shed.
With this, I can also, based on my dealings with this, limit a few factors for such.
Again, the lack of surfaces and substrate to facilitate naturally occurring shed removal is to blame.
These beardies are frequently kept on paper, tiles, or carpet, and it is totally up to you how you keep your beardie. But maintaining things this way has a lot of drawbacks. This possible problem is only one.
Any residual shed will frequently be removed on the next shed. posing few to no difficulties for the bearded dragon.
But supplementing with completely hydrated living food is a great way to increase hydration levels. By using some cucumber, the greens will retain more moisture. even a little lettuce (it DOES have its uses).
How long does it take for a Bearded Dragon to shed?
A week will pass from the beginning to the end of the process. It’s not a problem at all, though, if it takes a bit longer and doesn’t cause any problems.
Based on the bearded dragon’s age, shedding occurs more frequently.
They shed more often as they get younger, as was discussed in the previous section.
You may observe them shedding between 0 and 6 months of age virtually every week. Once more, this is a result of the quick expansion.
As a result, you may anticipate that this shed will only be functional for a few days.
‘Rapid’ growth is typically complete after 6–12 months. However, there is still plenty to be had. There will only be shedding here a maximum of two or three times every month.
From the age of one year forward, the Beardie is almost completely developed. His shedding will be less frequent.
The bearded dragon should be completely developed after around 18 months. Therefore, the shedding will only occur a few times every year. Once more, it will be highly irregular, lasting only one week. Afterward, the back may begin, maybe a few weeks later.
Conclusion
Between birth and six months of age, shedding happens almost regularly. This is entirely the result of your bearded dragon’s growth. So, see that as a good thing.
The skin of our bearded dragons is composed of a protein based on keratin. It also lacks flexibility and porousness. So, shedding happens concurrently with growth.
Think about trying to fit into a little shirt or blouse. You’ll simply end up tearing it or popping the buttons when you sit down or move. With beardies, the same is basically true.
FAQs
Will a bearded dragon regain its scales?
Their inability to grow skin is the straightforward solution to this issue. It is not elastic. A bearded dragon molts when its skin becomes too big.
Why are the scales on my bearded dragon waning?
When the climate is excessively moist and chilly, the substrate (bedding) in their habitat occasionally never fully dries out, which encourages the growth of bacteria and fungus that commonly cause scale rot—wonderful for the bacteria, not so great for your cat.
