My beardie is acting weird about spending time in her enclosure

[Ayrn Fiorenini]

I have had my beardie for about a week, after getting rehomed to me from my cousin. Nothing is wrong with her actual enclosure or husbandry, but over the last two days, she has gotten clingy. When she is in her enclosure, she will bask, but will quickly start going at the sides of her tank. Initially I thought it was an issue with reflection, so after I made sure there was no way for her to see herself, the issue persisted. I had been trying not to take her out, in order to let her acclimate, but after all of this I took her out and set her on my desk. She IMMEDIATELY jumped onto me and sat on my shoulder. (Yes as soon as she was up there i put a hand on her to ensure safety) Though she immediately calmed down and actually fell asleep on me. Every time I try to get her off, she switches shoulders and makes herself comfortable. I can’t constantly take her out. What do I do? Is this just her personality? If so I accept that she’s a bit clingy and I can work with it. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Ayrn Fiorenini]

I have had my beardie for about a week, after getting rehomed to me from my cousin. Nothing is wrong with her actual enclosure or husbandry, but over the last two days, she has gotten clingy. When she is in her enclosure, she will bask, but will quickly start going at the sides of her tank. Initially I thought it was an issue with reflection, so after I made sure there was no way for her to see herself, the issue persisted. I had been trying not to take her out, in order to let her acclimate, but after all of this I took her out and set her on my desk. She IMMEDIATELY jumped onto me and sat on my shoulder. (Yes as soon as she was up there i put a hand on her to ensure safety) Though she immediately calmed down and actually fell asleep on me. Every time I try to get her off, she switches shoulders and makes herself comfortable. I can’t constantly take her out. What do I do? Is this just her personality? If so I accept that she’s a bit clingy and I can work with it. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Dexter_Dragon]

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I'm a new mom so can't give any expert advice. She's a pretty girl. If her enclosure and husbandry are good then it might be that she's still getting accustomed to her new home and right now you're her security blanket. Could also be that she's used to being held a lot. Have you talked with your cousin? Perhaps find out from him/her if this is normal behavior for her or not? Wish I could help more, sorry. Hoping others may have seen this type of behavior before and can chime in with some good advice. Good luck!

 

[Ayrn Fiorenini]

After asking, my cousin said that they actually didn't handle her a lot. This may also be because when I went over there, I made sure to socialize with her. A bit ago I was holding her while I was doing work, but my mom wanted to hold her, so she picked her up. She was not happy. I had to get her back. I did a bit of research on glass surfing, and I think I may need a bigger tank, but I'm still saving for a 75 gal.

 

[Dexter_Dragon]

After asking, my cousin said that they actually didn't handle her a lot. This may also be because when I went over there, I made sure to socialize with her. A bit ago I was holding her while I was doing work, but my mom wanted to hold her, so she picked her up. She was not happy. I had to get her back. I did a bit of research on glass surfing, and I think I may need a bigger tank, but I'm still saving for a 75 gal.

Hope she settles down some for you. Where it's only been a week it might take a few more days for her to become completely comfortable. More experienced peeps can provide you with better info on tank, heat, humidity, lighting and anything else you have questions on if you need it.

 

[Julee1971]

I have had my beardie for about a week, after getting rehomed to me from my cousin. Nothing is wrong with her actual enclosure or husbandry, but over the last two days, she has gotten clingy. When she is in her enclosure, she will bask, but will quickly start going at the sides of her tank. Initially I thought it was an issue with reflection, so after I made sure there was no way for her to see herself, the issue persisted. I had been trying not to take her out, in order to let her acclimate, but after all of this I took her out and set her on my desk. She IMMEDIATELY jumped onto me and sat on my shoulder. (Yes as soon as she was up there i put a hand on her to ensure safety) Though she immediately calmed down and actually fell asleep on me. Every time I try to get her off, she switches shoulders and makes herself comfortable. I can’t constantly take her out. What do I do? Is this just her personality? If so I accept that she’s a bit clingy and I can work with it. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Hi; u say theres nothing wrong with her enclosure and husbandry; YES there is. Maybe you have a colored or a coil bulb; which is a NO NO; it burns their eyes. NEVER EVER use a colored bulb ever. At night they like pure dark and quiet. If you need Heat at night then you buy a Ceramic Heat Lamp and a ceramic socket holder; this emits heat at night but NO light. Also, and/or check the Temps; they are probably completely way too HOT sometimes it gets hotter due to the summer, u have to monitor the temp; without basking he cannot digest his food, have or maintain energy and will get metabolic bone disease esepcially without UVB. You need a ZOOMED digital thermometer and place the black dial set it on the basking platform that he basks on should be 95-103 maxiumum; 103 is good or even 100. the basking lamp; best one to buy is ZOOMED ReptiBasking Spot Lamp and should be 6-8 inches away from him and you need a UVB tubular lamp called the REPTISUN 10.0 T5; they like the tank light and bright for energy and to absorb the calcium in the crickets and to digest their food. 12-14 hours of Heat & UVB in the Summer then in the winter u can lessen to 10-12 mimicking the real daylight hours. Also, the enclosure needs to be minimum 40 Gallons and at 1.5 -2 yrs of age will need 75-120 gallon tank. U can buy an already built enclosure for only $330 on line which is a 120 Gallon made by a reptile enclosure company and they deliver. As far as substrate, NO sand. The best thing to use is Smooth Shelf Liner from Target or Wallmart beige in color, so easy to wipe the poop and dragon will be super duper happy. So, Bigger enclosure, the correct lights/flooring and check the Temps ASAP. This will do a 360 for your dragon. The refection is not whats bothering him, if it was he would be glass scratching, etc. You can buy tropical screen film from petstores or use yellow folders or poster board to cover the 3 walls but leave the entire front for him to look out. You can tape it to the inside of the emclosure. Use bright colorsl they hate dark colors. Hope this Helps; I rescue and rehome Let me know and GLuck

 

[Ayrn Fiorenini]

I dont use colored bulbs or coils. it does get cold at night and I have been using a ceramic heat bulb at night. My temps have been in the ideal range you mentioned. Not only do I have a ZOOMED thermometer, but I have a heat gun to ensure accuracy. At present time I have a ZOOMED 40 gallon, though I am saving for a 75 or 120 gallon. I have a shelf liner. I know not to use sand. This is MY first beardie, but I have cared for family pets before. I also have a crested gecko as well as a leopard gecko. Her bask area is fine and her hide is big enough. I also use the reptibasking spot lamp and reptisun for UVB. The reason I havent upgraded her enclosure fully yet is i got her so recently I am not going to do so much at once. And I spent so much replacing the things my cousin had gotten wrong im low on cash. She will have a much bigger enclosure soon.

Its been a few days and she has become acclimated to my house. I think the reason she was acting weird was like @Barb.Littlefield said, I was kind of her security blanket. thank you for your help and advice!

 

[Julee1971]

I dont use colored bulbs or coils. it does get cold at night and I have been using a ceramic heat bulb at night. My temps have been in the ideal range you mentioned. Not only do I have a ZOOMED thermometer, but I have a heat gun to ensure accuracy. At present time I have a ZOOMED 40 gallon, though I am saving for a 75 or 120 gallon. I have a shelf liner. I know not to use sand. This is MY first beardie, but I have cared for family pets before. I also have a crested gecko as well as a leopard gecko. Her bask area is fine and her hide is big enough. I also use the reptibasking spot lamp and reptisun for UVB. The reason I havent upgraded her enclosure fully yet is i got her so recently I am not going to do so much at once. And I spent so much replacing the things my cousin had gotten wrong im low on cash. She will have a much bigger enclosure soon.

Its been a few days and she has become acclimated to my house. I think the reason she was acting weird was like @Barb.Littlefield said, I was kind of her security blanket. thank you for your help and advice!

Good tobhearlnshes doing a bit better; u can get a $129 gallon tank for $33p google reptile enclosures there’s a company that delivers custom made Boone should care for a pet if they can’t afford or complain about money I feed my beardies about 80 plus cr let’s each a day it’s $7 at pets plus but like $14-$17 at petco or Petsmart high Way robbery but I do it now and lots of Staple greens and veggies start them young on veggies/greens dandelions/mustard/collard greens and endives and veggies yellow squash/butternut squash, sank oeas ans zuchine onecw ina. While. Mic 2-3 veggies & 2-3 greens and cut them in bite size so they can eat it depending on his age/size.

 

[Dexter_Dragon]

I dont use colored bulbs or coils. it does get cold at night and I have been using a ceramic heat bulb at night. My temps have been in the ideal range you mentioned. Not only do I have a ZOOMED thermometer, but I have a heat gun to ensure accuracy. At present time I have a ZOOMED 40 gallon, though I am saving for a 75 or 120 gallon. I have a shelf liner. I know not to use sand. This is MY first beardie, but I have cared for family pets before. I also have a crested gecko as well as a leopard gecko. Her bask area is fine and her hide is big enough. I also use the reptibasking spot lamp and reptisun for UVB. The reason I havent upgraded her enclosure fully yet is i got her so recently I am not going to do so much at once. And I spent so much replacing the things my cousin had gotten wrong im low on cash. She will have a much bigger enclosure soon.

Its been a few days and she has become acclimated to my house. I think the reason she was acting weird was like @Barb.Littlefield said, I was kind of her security blanket. thank you for your help and advice!

Glad to hear she's settling in.