Is my bearded dragon ill?

I bought 'him' last week and hes around 3/4 weeks old. Since then hes been ok and yesterday i noticed he's shedding his skin.


Today though, his skin seems very dark. Is this down to him shedding his baby skin and his bigger skin being a darker colour?


He's been eating crickets, but doesnt seem too keen on his veg although it does go down while im at work and i presume the crickets cant eat it that quick.


Any ideas?

Is my bearded dragon ill?
Yes, every time bearded dragons shed their skin, the newer fresher layer of skin will always seem darker, especially because while they're preparing to shed, the layer of skin loosens up and turns a lighter gray.





As far as the veggies go, hes probably munching on it while you aren't there watching him...at least thats what mine does, since I dont leave uneaten crickets in his cage. As for your case, I doubt its the crickets, unless you have tons of them in his cage, which shouldn't be the case anyways. :)
Reply:I would assume it's normal for it to be darker- the old skin would seem lighter anyway as light would shine through it.





I would contact your vet if you're worried?
Reply:so you have a dragon!Don't you think it could be a danger if it grows strong one day or it is of the miniature type just to frighten people around ?Can it be trained?
Reply:No he is not sick, it is just his new skin is darker then his baby skin.
Reply:also young berdies are darker anyway
Reply:They will change colour before and after shedding, that's normal. If the veggies are disappearing during the day, I'd say he's eating them,not a cricket or twenty. Beardies don't eat everything at once, they will eat early, usually live food, then eat veggies during the day.I'd say yours is OK, but if worried contact your vet.
Reply:a lot of baby beardies don't eat much veg, they tend to eat more veg as they get older, at the moment he is growing fast and needs the nutrients in the crix more than the veg. Veg should still be offered of course. just make sure you are gut loading your crix with either veg, fish flakes or purpose made gut loading mix, to ensure you are feeding your beardie nice healthy crix with all the nutrients 'he' needs.





As for the skin, i think you have your answers above, no point repeating good advise!
Reply:It's normal for bearded dragons to have darker skin when they have shed, it'll return to normal.


As for the veg, 'he' is probably nibbling while you are at work. Lizards can be secretive and shy.

periwinkle