Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have noticed alot lately that my approx 8mo old beardie's stomach shows signs of stress alot (the black designs on the belly, atleast that is what I was told it was) but she herself doesnt seem to be stressed.. She is very active during the day, alot of basking, running, digging.. She uses the bathroom regularly and eats like a monster! The temps are around 80 degrees for the ambient temp (i think that is the right word to use) there is a basking spot in the middle of her tank that is right around 100 and then one on the hot side that is between 110-115 and she hops back and forth between the two..

Am I mistaken on what the "belly markings" mean or is there something else going on here? Please Help!

Beautiful dragon

The barring on the stomach typically means they are stressed but just how much stress is needed for them to show up I don't know. From what you described she had all the necessary care requirements, has not stopped eating or otherwise show other stress symptoms. I am going to assume you also have a UVB light available for your dragon.

One thing you can do is think of the last time you saw the stomach without the bar marks. If you can recall that, try and think of any changes you may have done within the cage and it's surroundings. Something new may be what is stressing her a little. It could also simply be due to teh fact she is shedding (or at least in the picture she is shedding her legs). Shedding can be rather irritating to bearded dragons and this may stress her a little. Just think of having a sunburn on your arms and legs that is starting to heal..and the skin is peeling, I know sunburns can be rather itchy if they were bad, when healing up, with the skin flaking off.

If nothing has changed, just keep a close eye on her for the next week or so. Make sure she's eating normally, still active etc...if she doesn't show any other signs of stress or illness, then dont' worry about it too much. The barring may go away in a few days anyway. Just make sure you are doing everything you need to do to ensure she's well fed, has proper lighting and heat, is getting her multivitamines znd calcium powders dusted on her insects etc.
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PHLdyPayne

well that pic of her is from when she was ~3 months so it is a pretty old pic.. But now that you have said about the shedding I remember a few days ago during her bath seeing a few pieces floating around in the water when I pulled her out and she has been running around scratching her head on the sticks and what not so maybe she is getting ready to start shedding. She also has 2 UVB bulbs in the tank and gets calci, and multivitamins so that is taken care of as well.. I guess like you said as long as she is healthy and nothing in her day to day changes all is well..

After going back through a few pictures from the past of her though, I only remember seeing maybe 2 or 3 where her belly was completely pattern free so maybe it is just how she is *shrug*

Thanks again for the reply. If only they could talk,.. it would make everything much easier! Thanks!

the patterns on your dragon DO NOT mean it is stressed! Depending on the color morph, most dragons show some patterns; some more than other due to their color form. The patterns on the dragons belly will flucuate as its body warms and cools. The warmer it is the less patterns it will show. they show more in the morning as the dragon is cooler. don't worry, this is totally normal

That I have heard also as far as the temps go. But I kinda looked past that yesterday because it was the middle of the day and she had been basking for most of it and was still under the light when I noticed it. *shrug* I'll keep an eye on her. Thanks for your reply though!