New beardie owner- how to tell if they’re happy?

[TinySmaugOfficial]

I want to know if my beardie is happy. he‘s still very small, under a year old. i like picking him up and I followed all the tips for the enclosure. He likes to sit on my arms and shoulders. I’m not sure how to tell if he’s unhappy/annoyed, though. Thought I’d get some tips from fellow beardie owners. This is him. He’s in good health and is very active. Loves to climb and swim. Opens his mouth a lot, not sure what that means.

 

[Sadie]

I want to know if my beardie is happy. he‘s still very small, under a year old. i like picking him up and I followed all the tips for the enclosure. He likes to sit on my arms and shoulders. I’m not sure how to tell if he’s unhappy/annoyed, though. Thought I’d get some tips from fellow beardie owners.View attachment 24892 This is him. He’s in good health and is very active. Loves to climb and swim. Opens his mouth a lot, not sure what that means.

Opening his mouth is usually gaping- he's adjusting his body temp- to keep.him happy and Theo most important he correct basking temps and correct UVB- no coils for UVB basking temps need to be 105-110 taken w/ a digital probe thermometer- sticks ons are for ambient temps only- as he gets older their beards change color- the more vibrant the color they are happy- he is pretty young to tell at this point- but you must have proper temps and correct UVB- those two things are the most important

 

[HoomanSlave]

If he's eating well, active, and seems to be comfortable with handling (not running away or struggling) then he's probably a happy beardie!

 

[TinySmaugOfficial]

Yeah he’ll crawl into my hand and pancake on my arm or even my chest and it’s just the most precious thing

 

[Bailey]

Alertness, curiosity, and a whole lotta pretending to be a pancake usually means they are livin the good life Also eating like @HoomanSlave said