Strange behaviors

[Chelcie135]

Hey I have a 6 year old bearded dragon I took in at the age of 2 and rehabilitated. Little history: when we got him he was extremely aggressive, biting hissing puffing up turning black and would attack anything in his tank and would try to attack you if you went near his tank. We believe he had a bone deficiency issue when we got him as he was stunted and didn't have a very good diet. Once we changed his diet, and adding calcium, he started to grow again. I spent about 2 years working with him and he stopped all the aggressive behaviors.
Now I've been a bit concerned because in the 4 years we've had him he has never been horny until now, and it has been over 4 months where he has been aggressively horny he's even recently started hissing at inanimate objects and giving mixed signals such as the submissive wave and then aggressive nodding and even trying to attack. Considering it's been 4 years since he was aggressive this is a huge change and a bit concerning does anyone have any ideas as to what could be going on with him?! Thanks for all the help

 

[Sadie]

Hey I have a 6 year old bearded dragon I took in at the age of 2 and rehabilitated. Little history: when we got him he was extremely aggressive, biting hissing puffing up turning black and would attack anything in his tank and would try to attack you if you went near his tank. We believe he had a bone deficiency issue when we got him as he was stunted and didn't have a very good diet. Once we changed his diet, and adding calcium, he started to grow again. I spent about 2 years working with him and he stopped all the aggressive behaviors.
Now I've been a bit concerned because in the 4 years we've had him he has never been horny until now, and it has been over 4 months where he has been aggressively horny he's even recently started hissing at inanimate objects and giving mixed signals such as the submissive wave and then aggressive nodding and even trying to attack. Considering it's been 4 years since he was aggressive this is a huge change and a bit concerning does anyone have any ideas as to what could be going on with him?! Thanks for all the help

Can he see his reflection in the glass? It is breeding season so that would cause a change in the behavior- if so then get some newspaper magazine pages etc to cover the reflection - put it on the outside of the tank - any other animals or dragons he can see?

 

[Chelcie135]

Can he see his reflection in the glass? It is breeding season so that would cause a change in the behavior- if so then get some newspaper magazine pages etc to cover the reflection - put it on the outside of the tank - any other animals or dragons he can see?

No we got him a Tortoise House tank since it's much bigger made of wood so he can't see his reflection. We learned shortly after we got him that he was attacking his reflection and got him a tank that would help with that and give him more space to roam and climb. No pets or children are allowed in the room with him as he gets very upset with children around and our cat. Do you think it's strange that this is the first year where he has shown any signs of horniness? I thought he would have started at a much younger age.

 

[Sadie]

No we got him a Tortoise House tank since it's much bigger made of wood so he can't see his reflection. We learned shortly after we got him that he was attacking his reflection and got him a tank that would help with that and give him more space to roam and climb. No pets or children are allowed in the room with him as he gets very upset with children around and our cat. Do you think it's strange that this is the first year where he has shown any signs of horniness? I thought he would have started at a much younger age.

No my older dragon is 3 and this is the first year I have seen him head bob -- so its not unusual as far as I know - dragons behave differently some brumate while others do not -- the aggressiveness tho is odd -- are your basking temps up to par and UVB NO coils lighting plays a big factor along w/ temps

 

[Chelcie135]

No my older dragon is 3 and this is the first year I have seen him head bob -- so its not unusual as far as I know - dragons behave differently some brumate while others do not -- the aggressiveness tho is odd -- are your basking temps up to par and UVB NO coils lighting plays a big factor along w/ temps

Well that's good to know I was worried something healthwise might have caused him to be late in his mating routine. He is strange with his braumation. He will sleep for a few days not eat much then get up and eat a lot for a few days and then repeat. But only during the braumation period. We use a 75watt repti basking spot lamp no coils. And we do not use the red light as he gets extremely aggressive with that for some reason. We tried the 100watt because of the bigger tank but found it was too hot for him to bask with, he appears very happy with the 75watt. We've learned over the years it's normal for him to go through random bouts of moodiness but usually only occur for a day and then he's back to normal. But as of the past 4 months he's been moody almost every day which certainly isn't normal. He gets crickets every other day and lettuce (which I know isn't the best form of greens because it doesn't have much nutritional value but he won't touch any other kind of veggies trust me we've tried every vegetable that a bearded dragon can have ) I clean up any scraps of food everyday and new sand once a month and water bowl is cleaned every other day. We use the vitasand with the calcium infused in it because he won't touch anything with calcium on it for whatever reason. He's a very picky lizard we've tried so many different types of foods and treats for bearded dragons and he won't touch them. He won't even eat mealworms only crickets and lettuce and occasionally he'll eat the crickets and grasshoppers in flukers medley treats. He has a hammock fake leaf foliage he enjoys hiding in sticks to climb on rocks and one of those turtle hideaway logs that he loves to climb on.

 

[Sadie]

Well that's good to know I was worried something healthwise might have caused him to be late in his mating routine. He is strange with his braumation. He will sleep for a few days not eat much then get up and eat a lot for a few days and then repeat. But only during the braumation period. We use a 75watt repti basking spot lamp no coils. And we do not use the red light as he gets extremely aggressive with that for some reason. We tried the 100watt because of the bigger tank but found it was too hot for him to bask with, he appears very happy with the 75watt. We've learned over the years it's normal for him to go through random bouts of moodiness but usually only occur for a day and then he's back to normal. But as of the past 4 months he's been moody almost every day which certainly isn't normal. He gets crickets every other day and lettuce (which I know isn't the best form of greens because it doesn't have much nutritional value but he won't touch any other kind of veggies trust me we've tried every vegetable that a bearded dragon can have ) I clean up any scraps of food everyday and new sand once a month and water bowl is cleaned every other day. We use the vitasand with the calcium infused in it because he won't touch anything with calcium on it for whatever reason. He's a very picky lizard we've tried so many different types of foods and treats for bearded dragons and he won't touch them. He won't even eat mealworms only crickets and lettuce and occasionally he'll eat the crickets and grasshoppers in flukers medley treats. He has a hammock fake leaf foliage he enjoys hiding in sticks to climb on rocks and one of those turtle hideaway logs that he loves to climb on.

The basking bulb is keeping temps 95-100 taken w/ a digital probe thermometer?? You mentioned no UVB- ? He has to have a UVB basking temps and UVB are the two most important things in the tank

 

[Chelcie135]

The basking bulb is keeping temps 95-100 taken w/ a digital probe thermometer?? You mentioned no UVB- ? He has to have a UVB basking temps and UVB are the two most important things in the tank

It says it gives off UVA. We only use the one 75w bulb placed over his rocks which are in the center of his tank. We put a blanket over half of the open area on the top so that it keeps the heat in more efficiently. We do not have a thermometer in his tank as he keeps attacking it.

 

[Sadie]

It says it gives off UVA. We only use the one 75w bulb placed over his rocks which are in the center of his tank. We put a blanket over half of the open area on the top so that it keeps the heat in more efficiently. We do not have a thermometer in his tank as he keeps attacking it.

Your dragons behavior is this way because of the incorrect lighting- uva and UVB are completely different- he needs uvb to prevent mbd I cannot stress this enough among other health issues- also the behavior the attacking--- dragons are not normally aggressive-- please get a digital probe thermometer ASAP and a long tube fixture either a Zoo Med sunblaster or Arcadia 24" fixture w/ a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 or Arcadia 12% desert bulb --- believe me you will notice a difference in behavior- also colored bulbs distort their vision and can cause long term eye damage--- and the behavior is not a surprise

 

[Zontar’s Mom]

It says it gives off UVA. We only use the one 75w bulb placed over his rocks which are in the center of his tank. We put a blanket over half of the open area on the top so that it keeps the heat in more efficiently. We do not have a thermometer in his tank as he keeps attacking it.

Sadie is 100% on the ball. Dragons need both uvb and uva. Once that is done, Everything else follows.

 

[Chelcie135]

Oooooh I had no idea it's so hard sometimes to find all the info on it I thought he only needed uva! I have already ordered his new lamp which will have the heating AND the uvb and uva! It will be here in a day and hopefully he will feel better soon! I had no idea he was missing something so important! I feel awful he's been missing it for so long!

Your dragons behavior is this way because of the incorrect lighting- uva and UVB are completely different- he needs uvb to prevent mbd I cannot stress this enough among other health issues- also the behavior the attacking--- dragons are not normally aggressive-- please get a digital probe thermometer ASAP and a long tube fixture either a Zoo Med sunblaster or Arcadia 24" fixture w/ a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 or Arcadia 12% desert bulb --- believe me you will notice a difference in behavior- also colored bulbs distort their vision and can cause long term eye damage--- and the behavior is not a surprise

Oooooh I had no idea! I thought he only needed uva! I have already ordered his new lamp which will have the heating AND the uvb and uva! It will be here in a day and hopefully he will feel better soon! I had no idea he was missing something so important! I feel awful he's been missing it for so long!

 

[Sadie]

Oooooh I had no idea it's so hard sometimes to find all the info on it I thought he only needed uva! I have already ordered his new lamp which will have the heating AND the uvb and uva! It will be here in a day and hopefully he will feel better soon! I had no idea he was missing something so important! I feel awful he's been missing it for so long!

Oooooh I had no idea! I thought he only needed uva! I have already ordered his new lamp which will have the heating AND the uvb and uva! It will be here in a day and hopefully he will feel better soon! I had no idea he was missing something so important! I feel awful he's been missing it for so long!

What MVB did you order? Brand and bulb please
Bearded Dragons require full spectrum lighting for 12-14 hours a day. Reptisun 10.0 or Arcadia 12% tubes are known to provide some of the best full UVB for your dragons. The coils or compacts of the same brand aren't recommended, as they have shown to cause eye problems and reduction of appetite. The Reptiglo brand is also not recommended, tube, coil or compact, as it has been associated with causing eye problems, lethargy and not eating. These fluorescent bulbs should be 2/3rds of the tank should be able to come within 12-15 inches of the light. The UVB should be mounted inside the tank to allow your dragon 100% of the UVB. On top of the tank can filter out up to 50% of the UVB rays your dragon needs. Mercury vapour bulbs are also a good heat & UVB source, but to allow your dragon full use of the UVB it is best to not use the mesh tank tops. Mounting them on a lampstand with a dome without using a top will allow full use of the UVB. Having the correct type of UVB light is also important to help their bones develop strong and healthy.
Good MVB's are Power Sun and Mega Ray
You will need to get a extra UVB the tube fixture I recommended in a earlier post -- most time between distance and placement of the MVB they do not provide adequate UVB ---

 

[Chelcie135]

What MVB did you order? Brand and bulb please
Bearded Dragons require full spectrum lighting for 12-14 hours a day. Reptisun 10.0 or Arcadia 12% tubes are known to provide some of the best full UVB for your dragons. The coils or compacts of the same brand aren't recommended, as they have shown to cause eye problems and reduction of appetite. The Reptiglo brand is also not recommended, tube, coil or compact, as it has been associated with causing eye problems, lethargy and not eating. These fluorescent bulbs should be 2/3rds of the tank should be able to come within 12-15 inches of the light. The UVB should be mounted inside the tank to allow your dragon 100% of the UVB. On top of the tank can filter out up to 50% of the UVB rays your dragon needs. Mercury vapour bulbs are also a good heat & UVB source, but to allow your dragon full use of the UVB it is best to not use the mesh tank tops. Mounting them on a lampstand with a dome without using a top will allow full use of the UVB. Having the correct type of UVB light is also important to help their bones develop strong and healthy.
Good MVB's are Power Sun and Mega Ray
You will need to get a extra UVB the tube fixture I recommended in a earlier post -- most time between distance and placement of the MVB they do not provide adequate UVB ---

I got the reptisun 10.0 and got an entire kit so that he will have his uvb in one side and the uva and heat which will come from his basking bulb. I have also gotten a thermostat that also checks the humidity as well. I will also be getting a back up reptisun bulb and thermostat incase it burns out. I always keep extra bulbs as we've had them burn out at the most inconvent times!! Thank you for all of your help and the information you've provided I'm sure my buddy will feel much better soon!

 

[Sadie]

I got the reptisun 10.0 and got an entire kit so that he will have his uvb in one side and the uva and heat which will come from his basking bulb. I have also gotten a thermostat that also checks the humidity as well. I will also be getting a back up reptisun bulb and thermostat incase it burns out. I always keep extra bulbs as we've had them burn out at the most inconvent times!! Thank you for all of your help and the information you've provided I'm sure my buddy will feel much better soon!

Please take the coil back it is NO Good and if its a 13 watt that is even worse----- please go w/ a regular bright white basking bulb l am going to post links for you so you can get what I recommend --
digital probe thermometer https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/en...um-digital-thermometer-14914.html?cgid=500202
UVB fixture 24" for a 40 + gallon tank https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-terrarium-hood.html
Reptisun 10.0 bulb T 5 22" https://www.petmountain.com/product/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-100-uvb-high-output-bulbs?variant=40630
the other site was out of stock -- you need to get this ordered and get rid of the coil NOW -- they cause all kinds of issues and I am thinking your dragon cannot be in good health w/ all these years of no UVB ---
these lights I just posted are the best on the market at this time -- the 24" fixture will come w/ a 5.0 bulb hang on to it it can be used as a back up distance and placement for these bulbs the 5.0 and the 10.0 is different --- I will need to help you get the UVB placed in the tank but please get it first and let me know -- did you get the digital probe thermometer -- he needs to have proper basking temps --- 95-100 --- place the probe on the spot where he sits to bask wait at least 10 min then get the temp --- it is trial a error w/ basking bulbs you dont want to burn him up or have him too cold

 

[Chelcie135]

I am sorry I didn't realize what the coil ones look like I misunderstood! I will cancel the order and get what you've recommended. I did get the same digital one you recommended I have been concerned with his health a few times over the past year but I couldn't figure out why, I've found it hard to research bearded dragon health issues when I'm not sure what exactly is wrong. He seemed to go back to normal the following day. I am ordering the stuff you recommended now.

 

[Sadie]

I am sorry I didn't realize what the coil ones look like I misunderstood! I will cancel the order and get what you've recommended. I did get the same digital one you recommended I have been concerned with his health a few times over the past year but I couldn't figure out why, I've found it hard to research bearded dragon health issues when I'm not sure what exactly is wrong. He seemed to go back to normal the following day. I am ordering the stuff you recommended now.

Ok good - I want you to let me know when you get the UVB - I will help you place it