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baby bearded dragon with bit of its tail missing

22 11:48:23

Question
QUESTION: so i got a new baby bearded dragon (2 months old) on friday. i noticed that it seemed to be missing a bit of its tail (it only seems to be the end of it). i know this may sound daft but will that have any effect on it. because it was in with other babies i can assume it got its tail bitten off, as there were others in the tank with shorter tails than this guy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50593241@N02/8395504283/in/photostream

as far as i can tell it doesnt seem to bother it and it has been eating since i got it. just dont want anything to go wrong with this guy since i lost my last bearded dragon and she wasnt even 2 when she died

ANSWER: Hello Sarah,

Yes, that is the most likely cause of the loss of the end of the tail.  It looks like it has healed up pretty well though.  No, it will not have any effect on his health as it does not appear to have gotten infected & has healed up now.  
She is adorable too, very cute!  She looks very alert, also which is a great sign of good health.
How much is she eating daily?  
I am sorry you lost your other dragon, it is so devastating to lose one.
If you would like I can review your tank set up with you if you need to make sure everything is good with the husbandry.

Let me know how things are coming along with your new dragon!

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The first night I had it, it ate about 6 small crickets. Then yesterday it had 10 dusted in calcium powder at 9am then another 20 which it ate from my hand. At 1pm it had around a dozen plus about 8 small dubia roaches then it just had 6 at 5pm. It's in a 3ft viv. I've got a reptisun 12.0 UVB tube light (I've ordered a new one as it needs changing next month). Temps are around 85 on the cool side. Basking spot is around 100-115. The lights come on at 7:30am then I will put in a bowl of veg an hour later (it's not eating it yet) then feed it at 9am. 1pm. And again at 5pm. Then it's lights go off at 7:30pm. I use a heat emitter at night for it as it gets rather cold at night

ANSWER: Hello Sarah,

Great, the Reptisun 10 sounds good.  The tube bulbs are best.  The 12% is the Arcadia so that is a great bulb, also!
You could probably decrease the basking area to a range of 95-110, as too high of temperatures can dehydrate them rather quickly.  
They do take awhile to learn to eat their veggies, but eventually she will.  
I am glad to hear she is doing so well for a youngster!  
Her appetite sounds good, too.  Dusting with calcium daily, 5 times per week, is perfect.  Just once a day for dusting is adequate.

Let me know if you need more help!

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks. also how often should i mist it? i was a bit confused about dusting the food, as some people say only to do it once a day and others say to do it at every feeding. also one other thing do you know what morph it is

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50593241@N02/8399488330/in/photostream

it seems to have a fair bit of red colouring to it. only thing i know is its a leatherback

Answer
Hello Sarah,

The leatherbacks may have a little harder time shedding, too with slightly different scaling than the traditional scaled bearded dragons.  
You can mist her daily, but out of the tank.  Misting in the tank could contribute to the humidity climbing too high as well as mold or mildew type of issues.
She is definitely a red morph, but not sure of any "technical" name though.  She is going to be a beautifully colored adult though.
How is she doing today?

Tracie