What Stresses a Bearded Dragon?

[Ashytree]

I wish my beardie the best life possible, without buying anything unnecessary. Are there simple things I can do to make her happy? She is a sub adult who seems slightly miserable and I truly don't know why. Her tank is a great size, she has proper lighting, UVB, good diet, reverse-osmosis water, a basking log and lots of love. Is this just part of her personality?

 

[Canicke]

HI ashytree - welcome to the forum. What kind of behavior are you asking about?
Why do you think she's miserable? Can you share a picture of her viv.

 

[Ashytree]

Goonie (The dragon in my profile pic) will nestle down in the corners of her tank, where it is coldest, at night and when I give her her morning pets she will feel like an ice cube and not want to move. Goo has recently started to puff out at me and will go to the coldest part of my room when I let her out while glass surfing at a mirror I have on the ground. I have no idea what she wants and it makes me sad to see my little roommate be miserable no matter what I do.
In the picture, she only has a little bit of paper towel because I have just run out. She usually has it all over the floor. Her water is also usually at the cool half of her tank.

 

[Ashytree]

She has hissed at me three times (one of those was just because she was outside and we have birds) but the other two are when she goes into a cold corner. She has never bitten or hurt me, but she doesn't act like she is feeling the best emotionally.

 

[Canicke]

Well – I am by no means an expert, but for what it's worth here's some suggestions. I don't see a hide for her. I'd recommend at least one some people recommend two -one on the warm end one on the cool end. What's the temp at the cool and? What's the temp under her basking lamp?what she eating? How often?what's your geographical location?what's going on outside her viv? do you have any other pets – or kids running around?we had one member who's beardie was upset by the ceiling fan – you just never know. I've had my boy for 2 1/2 years – he occasionally hisses at me but I don't think he means it I think it's hormones kicking in. Even if he does mean it he doesn't get away with it. How long have you had her? I think that's a good start – – –

 

[Ashytree]

Under her lights (all three are in one cluster, it is 100-113 degrees Fahrenheit and she loves to be there 98% of the time. it ranges from 70-80 degrees on the cool end. At night the tank can get to low 70's. She eats romaine lettuce, mustard greens and juvenile beardie dry food (I sprinkle vitamins on her greens as well). I keep the dry food in her tank and hand feed her greens once a day and leave the leftovers with her to munch on later. I live in Washington near the Oregon border- it rain a lot and there are birds everywhere so I keep Goo inside. When the birds are too loud I play Celtic music and she seems happy with that. Outside her vivarium I hold her until she either gets sleepy or too cold. I am the middle child in a family of five, my lil bro is 14 and doesn't like holding her. My mum and I are pretty much the only ones handling her, but she usually doesn't want to get her hands dirty. I have an old fat dog that just lays around all the time, not thinking much of Goo. I have had her since February, when the poor beardie I got for Christmas Eve was actually sick before I brought her home and eventually lost the fight for the will to live. :' ( My mum knew I needed a friend in my room and we got a healthy, and slightly older, baby beardie. Goonie is MUCH happier than Roo was, but I'd like her to be even happier.

 

[Ashytree]

I also give her crickets and occasionally earthworms and mealworms.

 

[Canicke]

You must be in Western Washington – Eastern Washington doesn't get that much rain.( I grew up in Tacoma) Romain lettuce is pretty much worthless – it does provide hydration(water) but it does not have any nutritional value. Mustard greens are good. There are lots of other greens that you can try – my guys love watercress and arugula.i'm not a fan of canned food. Just my opinion. I think real food is better – for us humans too. My guys love super worms and – hold for the yuck factor – Dubia roaches. Dubias maybe kind of spends. If your pet store has some you can buy a few to find out if he likes them. If he does the best thing to do is breed them. Your mom may freak. It's just a bug.you're not at that point yet but – you can tell her they won't escape and they won't multiply in your house. Florida – yes. Western Washington? not a chance. I'm not sure happy is a term I would apply to reptiles. I think content might be more apropos. Do you have a T-shirt or a scarf that you wouldn't mind parting with? Wear it for a day or two – Without smelly deodorant or perfume – to get your body odor on it. Put it in the tank with your beardie - he will get used to your smell from that. I think that's all for now – – –

 

[amyl518]

I think beardies also like being in an area where there is some activity. If he's in your room by himself maybe he's bored? I know moving him into a common area might not be possible because of space so I'm not sure what a solution for that would be. Seeing himself in the mirror might also stress him out if he thinks it might be another dragon. This is stuff I read about online when I was researching them so that's really the extent of my knowledge though. I do agree that romain isn't good for them. I've never fed mine a commercial food, just fresh fruits and veggies along with crickets and super worms. I know dubias are really healthy for them but I'm too squeamish with bugs and draw the line and the worms and crickets! Maybe changing up his food a bit will help along with giving him a place to hide.

 

[Soensew]

I find that popping my beardie on my shoulder and taking her out for a walk on a sunny day really makes her happy or sitting in the garden with her on my lap. If it's not sunny letting her trott round the room and looking out of the patio doors makes her happy too. Here is Isabelle with my cat Buffy enjoying the sunshine together...

 

[Soensew]

Oh and my Isabelle also likes the odd treat of wax worms. But they are a treat, like chocolate for your beardie. H

ere she is at the patio watching the birds with Buffy...

 

[Josephine]

I'd agree that perhaps she'd like more company. Our beardie is in the lounge and enjoys being around people. He also loves live food, so that might help. We've had him almost a year now and he's become very tame. He's out every day, loves sitting by the patio doors to get some sun and we also have a heat mat which he sits on on the sofa to watch telly with us. And he loves a bath. We put him in a washing up bowl with a couple on inches of lovely warm water and he'll sit there for ages now he's got used to it. (Make sure it's got no residual detergent in.). Hope that gives you some ideas. Good luck!