Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been reading and seeing pictures of people letting their beardies swim. So yesterday I let my 2 year old male swim around in the tub for a little bit. He freaked out at first but then was ok. The water wasnt deep so he just stood there and didnt swim. I took him out and put in my new baby (about 3 or 4 months) and she took off swimming. She puffed up into a big airball! I took her out and she was fully inflated, it was so bizarre! She stayed that way for about 2 minutes then she suddenly started breathing again. Is this normal? Should I wait to let her swim again and not put her in such deep water that she cant stand? thx

One of my beardies used to do that. It freaked me out but at the same time it was hillarious. I would always take him out of the water until he let the air out. He also used to do that on the leash. I think it's just a repsonse to something they are afraid of. I always took him out because it appeared like he was gulping in air and holding his breath. He did grow out of it, so my guess is that yours will also.

That seems to be a normal response for them when first intoduced to the water. Actually seems to help them keep there heads out of the water. I would try it again with less water, it shouldn't be too deep. Keep it warm as not to shock them from a hot basking spot to cold water. Have you ever had a nice warm shower get cold. Lol. I hold my breath too.

Only put the water up to their shoulders. She blew up like that because she was afraid and couldn't touch bottom. I put a rolled up washcloth in the water to give them something to hang on to, gives them a bit of security.
Also, you should never use the same water. If one should have parasites/coccidia it will pass it to the other one, clean and disinfect between animals.
TheClassyLizard