Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Whenever Sam is in his cage, he's usually dark, barely ever showing his colors, but whenever I take him out he seems brightly colored, and in time he seems more alert. He's not eating much either, is this because he's still new with me and his enclosure? (2 months, had him for 1 day)

He is still getting used to his new environment and you. I would recommend not handling him for the first couple days. Then start holding him for a few minutes several times a day, watching for any signs of stress (struggling to get away, heavy breathing, etc). Offering choice foods while in your hand will also be a way to help calm him down and get him to realize you are a food provider, not something planning to eat him.

but he's not afraid of me at all, he seems very happy with me he's never skittish, never runs, never puffs up...I was told to handle him right away so he feels comfortable, so am i supposed to stop or something?

their colors change from mood like said, but also the dragons body temperature can cause change in colors. If the dragon wants to heat up or catch as much light as possible he will darken his colors. Darker colors heat up faster, and hold heat longer then light colors. When you give some dragons a warm bath most of the time the water is above their body temperature causing them to lighten their colors. Normal dragons you can actually see on the tummies what phase they are in. If they are cold and trying to catch the suns heat their bellies will have the black pigmentation stripes. When they are hot enough the dark tummy turns real light, some have full white bellies when hot. So check your temps and make sure he is getting enough heat. 105-110.if thats correct it could be moods
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Mystical Dragons