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As a bearded dragon owner – a commonly asked question is “How often do baby bearded dragons shed?”
It’s important to keep a close eye on your baby bearded dragon. Certain health issues may arise and it’s better to address them sooner than later.
Shedding can lead to array of different health issues. Additionally, a lack of shedding could indicate a problem. For instance, stuck shed is a common problem among bearded dragons. This is when a beardie isn’t receiving enough moisture to properly shed their skin.
So, with that being said – how often do baby bearded dragons shed?
Baby bearded dragons typically shed once every two to four weeks. A juvenile bearded dragon will shed slightly less often – about once every four to six weeks. As your bearded dragon ages, it will shed less and less often.
Therefore, it’s important to keep up with your baby bearded dragons shedding patterns to ensure it’s in good health.
Now, let’s take a closer look at how often baby bearded dragons shed as they develop into adulthood.
We’re also going to discuss some of the issues that may occur during shedding that you should be aware of.
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Baby Bearded Dragons (0-3 months)
Baby bearded dragons, particularly hatchlings, will shed much more often than fully grown bearded dragons.
This is because baby bearded dragons are growing at a rapid rate. It’s not uncommon for a baby bearded dragon to double or triple in size in just a couple months.
As a result, they will continually shed their skin to keep up with their development.
Juvenile Bearded Dragons (3-6 Months)
Juvenile bearded dragons (in the 3-6 month range) tend to shed a bit less often than hatchling and baby bearded dragons.
Juveniles, in the majority of cases, will shed around once every four to six weeks.
Juvenile Bearded Dragons (6-12 months)
At this point, you will notice your bearded dragon is shedding much less often. This is because they’re approaching adulthood.
Juvenile bearded dragons that are between the ages of six and twelve months will typically shed once every six to eight weeks.
However, every bearded dragon is different and your care will greatly impact on the frequency of your bearded dragons sheds.
Adult Bearded Dragons (1+ years)
Now that your bearded dragon is an adult, you’ll probably lose track of how often your beardie is shedding.
This is because it will likely be once every few months. Sometimes, an adult bearded dragon may only shed twice a year.
However, this is completely normal and should not be a cause for concern.
Common Issues with Baby Bearded Dragon’s Shedding
Because bearded dragons are desert animals requiring little water and low humidity environments, occasionally, bearded dragons will struggle to shed their skin completely.
This is commonly referred to as “stuck shed”. Stuck shed can be sometimes be painful for your beardie and can cause eye problems if the shed is near the eyes.
Therefore, it’s important to know how to treat stuck shed in case your beardie ever suffers from it.
How to Deal with Stuck Shed
It’s important that you never attempt to pull the stuck shed off your beardie. Unless the shed is completely detached from the skin, removing stuck shed can lead to skin tears and abrasions.
I personally use this product every time I bathe my beardie and he’s never had issues with shedding. It’s very easy to use as you simply add it to your bearded dragons bath water.
In addition, it doesn’t only help your bearded dragon shed its skin – but it also strengths their immune system and prevents parasites and disease. It’s definitely a must-have for all beardie owners!
How to Prevent Shedding Issues
The best method to prevent shedding issues in your baby bearded dragon is by bathing them regularly.
Because baby bearded dragons shed so often, they need to be bathed on a weekly basis to prevent stuck shed.
Once again, I also highly recommend you pick up Reptile Electrolytes Soak by ZooMed. This will make the shedding process so much easier for your beardie.
Additionally, you need to ensure you’re providing your baby beardie with all the essentials for its development. This includes a UVB/UVA/Basking Bulb, veggies, calcium powder, and crickets/mealworms as a protein source.
More: Check out this list of our favorite calcium powders.
Finally, you need to make sure you have a large enough enclosure for your beardie. For baby bearded dragons, your enclosure should be a minimum of 20-gallons.
Having a small enclosure can lead to stress, depression, and inappropriate heating throughout your enclosure. Needless to say, stress can lead to a variety of illnesses and can affect your bearded dragon’s sheds.
Note: It’s more cost-efficient to go ahead and purchase a large enclosure rather than having to upgrade as your beardie grows larger!
FAQ
Below are some commonly asked questions regarding how often baby bearded dragons shed and other related questions.
Do Baby Bearded Dragons Eat Their Shed?
Although this isn’t common, baby bearded dragons have been known to eat their sheds. However, this is not something to worry about. It’s completely natural and won’t harm your bearded dragon.
However, it is advised that you remove the shed from your bearded dragons enclosure to keep your bearded dragons environment clean.
What If My Baby Bearded Dragon Isn’t Shedding?
If your baby bearded dragon isn’t shedding – give it some time. If you recently got your baby beardie and they haven’t shed in a few weeks, don’t freak out.
Sometimes your baby bearded dragon may shed without you realizing. As mentioned previously, some baby bearded dragons will eat their own shed.
However, if you think your beardie isn’t shedding enough, it may be a sign that you need to bathe them more often.
Furthermore, a balanced diet that includes both bugs and salad is essential for your baby bearded dragon’s health. It’s especially important when it comes to shedding.
If you seem to be doing everything right but your bearded dragon still struggles to shed, your bearded dragon may be suffering from a parasite, digestive issues, or another illness. If so, I highly recommend checking out our in-depth article on reptile antibiotics that you can safely administer to your beardie.
Does My Baby Bearded Dragon Have Scale Rot?
Scale rot, although less common in baby bearded dragons, is still an illness you should look out for.
As the name suggests, scale rot is when your bearded dragons scales start to rot and die.
It’s usually caused by high levels of humidity, bacteria, and wet bedding.
Some signs that your baby bearded dragon has scale rot include;
– Flaky skin
– Scale discoloration
– Blisters
– Lethargy
– Loss of appetite
– Lack of basking
If left untreated, scale rot can lead to an array of other health issues and can be fatal.
As long as you’re taking proper care of your bearded dragon, you shouldn’t be overly concerned with scale rot.
Generally, scale rot is usually a result of poor husbandry practices on the part of the pet owner.
However, if you do suspect your baby bearded dragon has scale rot, it’s advised that you seek professional help.
Final Thoughts – How Often do Baby Bearded Dragons Shed?
To conclude, baby bearded dragons shed at different ages depending on their age.
For instance, a hatchling may shed once every two weeks while a juvenile may only shed once per month.
Furthermore, there are a variety of factors that come into play when it comes to shedding frequency. These include diet, husbandry practices, lighting, bathing your beardie, and more.
All in all, you shouldn’t be overly worried about how often your baby bearded dragon is shedding. Some bearded dragons will simply shed less often than others.
The only time you should be concerned is if your bearded dragon stops shedding completely, develops scale rot, or gets stuck shed.
If you still have doubts about the health of your beardie, it never hurts to get a veterinarian’s opinion.
Thanks for reading and Happy Herping!