Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.

Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You
Click for ZooMed
Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You

Guilt and beardie

JadeFox Apr 08, 2004 12:09 AM

Everytime I have to go to work (and it's part time), my beardie, most remarkably smart, can inflict a great deal of guilt on me. And it only happens when I'm about to leave for work.

She knows I'm getting ready, and then turns this dingy grey color, goes to the corner, and sinks her head in depression (no kidding--really sinks her head down on the corner). That's the only time she does it too.

She knows how to act sick before leaving for work. Acted like her leg is injured. ANYTHING to get me to pick her up. (she's not sick, not injured. It's an act).

She can sink so low as to water her eyes. She gives me very sad cow eyes and they start to water like she's about to cry. and paws at the glass.

Othertimes she outright rebels and puts her belly in the shallow dish of water and spreads it all over the tank, and the greens end up spread all over.

Makes me feel like crap when I go to work. GUILT to the MAX.

The only time she is happy is when I'm holding her like a baby. She turns absoutely luminous with bright orange/red, and yellow. She gives me lots of hugs, and kisses (licks my skin repeatedly for a LONG time).

Despite all of this, I love my bearded dragon. She really is like a child to me, and I love her very dearly.

Does anybody else have to deal with guilt before leaving for work because of these behaviours (acting sick, and so on)?

JadeFox

Replies (2)

pepe15 Apr 08, 2004 01:46 AM

i hope my two boys do not do this otherwise i will never get to work!!!
-----
Jamie
0.0.1 corn snake (Rio)
1.0.1 Bearded Dragon (Zeus and Koda)

wideglide Apr 08, 2004 09:29 AM

before I go back to work. I'm not positive that's what's going on but if I come home at the end of the work day and the TV's not on he always seems to be in a foul mood.

Also, my smaller dragon does this thing now whenever it's almost feeding time he will go into his hide. I think it's because he knows I'm going to pick him up out of it, talk to him a bit then put him on his basking spot and feed him. It's either that or he is trying to get a way because he has it backward and thinks I'm going to pick him up anyway. I prefer the previous reason though .
-----
Rob Talkington

Site Tools