Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just like in the topic.. I have heard people with different "methods" of getting a dragon to "Fire Up", but nothing really from a reliable source. Is this even possible? Thanks in advance!

Not sure what you mean by "fire up"? Are you tlking about how to make him flare his beard? Thats a defensive and scared stance so not sure why you would want to irritate your dragon like that espicially if he is young.
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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's

no not like that, just to get all of his colors to get really bright..

Oh ok. I understand now. I dont know the answer to that question. Just getting into it myself. As far as i know there colors change almost constantly depending on there mood, health, and the temperature gradiant that it is in!
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Mike & Wendy

2.0.0 Siberian husky, Jackrussel/schitzu
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.0.1 Leopard Gecko
4.0.0 Beta's
3.1.0 Future Herper's

Typically dragons will 'fire up' when exposed to high levels of UVB and UVA light (ie natural sunlight, high uvb/uva outage bulbs, such as mercury vapor bulbs and higher rating florescent tubes (repti-glo/repti-sun 8.0 or 10.0)). A well balanced diet with colorful vegetables/friut and flowers added in can also help with showing off of colors in the dragon.

However, not all bearded dragons will have alot of color, pretty much those who are selectively bred to produce bright colors will be able to show them off. A normal grey/brown/black dragon will not start showing any colors it doesn't have, not matter what is fed or done. (short of using water based pigments directly on the dragon itself, or food dye). In direct sunlight, even this 'drab' normal dragons will lighten up, usually because they are warm and don't need to absorbe more heat, so their color lightens up (lighter shades don't absorbe as much heat as darker shades. Wear a black shirt in the sun and see how long it takes for you to get warm, then wear a white shirt and notice the difference).
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PHLdyPayne

Well my dragon definately has alot of color to her, it all depends on how bright or dull she is though is what I'm trying to figure out. I mean sometimes she is REALLY fired up.. others she is just kinda dull..

I have heard people say that you can stick them in a shoe box, or a dark box of some sort to do it.. I dunno I have heard a few different things so I was wondering if there was any way that would definately make them "fire up" instead of them doing it on there own..

Reason I'm asking is I wanted to take pics of her the other day, and she just didnt look all that great.. Know what I mean? Thanks again!

don't see how a shoebox will help much, in fact I am quite certain it will make them go dark. Unless it was meant to use a shoebox sterlite/rubbermaid container and bring it outside into the natural sun. Natural sun is the best way to go but it also depends on the mood of the dragon. If they are nervous outside, they may not fire up right away.
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PHLdyPayne

nah someone was saying on a board (not sure if it was here or not) a while back that putting them in a dark box will cause them to fire up.. *dunno* thanks for your input though!

My dragons always show their colors best after a nice soak in some warm water. Make sure the water is comfortably warm (not too hot) and that it is shallow enough so they don't drown. They almost always defecate during their bath too, so you'll need to wash out the tub after they do and then let them soak a little more in some clean water. I usually wash my dragons with soapy water too (Ivory soap).
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1.4.0 Bearded Dragons (Frodo, Red Sonya, Galadriel, Arwen, Lakis)
1.1.0 Nosy Be Panther Chameleons (Fred and Wilma)
1.1.0 Peacock Day Gecko
0.1.0 Gold Dust Day Gecko
0.1.0 Columbian Red-Tail Boa (Bilbo)
0.1.0 Ball Python (Daisy)
0.1.0 California King Snake (Cali)
1.1.0 Honduran Milk Snakes
0.0.3 Fire Belly Toads
0.1.0 Fat Cat (Mollie)
1.0.0 Mini Pinscher x Chihuahua (Pepper)

mine definately "fire up" during a soak.