Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm really new to this whole reptile thing...with 3 boys, I didn't have much choice. Anyway...we got a baby BD today (3 months), and she is adorable. Within a few hours, she was eating well (10 crix & some green leaf), even drank some water. Very social & active. Temps are correct (110/80). She seems happy. But, I read something about circles under their belly & I noticed that she had them this evening. I assume that it's just stress from adjustment? I haven't seen any posts about them. Also, is it OK for my boys to handle her immediately, given that she is eating fine? (Boys are 6, 8 & 11 - and very good w/her). THANKS FOR ANY HELP!!! (btw...no name yet. Had a name for a male, but my son fell in love w/a female. Trying to talk him out of Spike...she's too sweet.

The circles are probably due to stress and the new environment.

I would not suggest your boys handling your new dragon too much. I would let him/her settle in first. Best bet would be to let her adjust for a week before too much handling.
-----
Lisa
Cricket free babies!
LIVE hatchling web cam 8 - 8 EST
www.beginnersbasics.com

Circles can appear when they are in a cool place, afraid or stressed. Sometimes for no apparent reason at all that you can figure out.
It's great that she is eating so well, so soon. That's a great sign.

Here's some tips from www.beardiecrazy.com

JUVENILES: 2-4 WEEK OLD CRICKETS, KEEPING IN MIND THE SIZE OF YOUR DRAGON 3 TIMES PER DAY, ALL THEY CAN EAT. CHOPPED GREENS AND VEGATABLES SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THEM ALL DAY.
TREAT TO BEARDIES 2 MONTHS AND UP. SUPERWORMS CAN BE GIVEN AS TREATS TO BEARDIES OVER 12 INCHES IN LENGTH BUT NEVER TO BEARDIES SMALLER THAN THAT. MEALWORMS CAN CAUSE IMPACTION IN SOME BEARDIES DUE TO HIGH AMOUNT OF CHITTIN OR EXOSKELETON. THIS CAN BE DEADLY, ESPECIALLY TO SMALLER BEARDIES. GREENS CAN INCLUDE COLLARD, MUSTARD, PARSLEY, TURNIP, ENDIVE, ESCAROLE AND DANDELION. VEGATABLES MAY INCLUDE GREEN BEANS, PEAS, SQUASH, YAM, CARROT, PARSNIP, CORN, AND RADISHES. FRUITS MAY INCLUDE GRAPES, BANANA, APPLE, PEACH AND PLUM. ALL GREENS AND VEGETABLES SHOULD BE MISTED SO AS TO PROVIDE ANOTHER WATER SOURCE FOR YOUR BEARDIE.
Suppliments:
JUVENILES: 2 TO 6 MONTHS, DUST CRICKETS WITH CALCIUM WITH D3 ONE FEEDING EVERY OTHER DAY AND HERPTIVITE 2-3 TIMES PER WEEK.

Water:
JUVENILES OVER 2 MONTHS OF AGE CAN BE MISTED 2-3 TIMES PER DAY AND/OR GIVEN WARM BATHS TWO TO THREE TIMES PER WEEK.
-----
www.classylizard.com

She still has circles on her belly part of the time in her cage, but when we take her out & she is hanging with us, they go away. (She seems to like being handled, she always jumps right on our hand). I've checked the temps & they are fine, however I have played with the lighting a lot the last couple of days, trying to get it all clamped on correctly, for optimal heat. Did the playing with the lights freak her out about her cage? She seems happy in there, and she gapes occasionally when basking, so I assume she is getting plenty of heat. She is still eating fine & everything. Do I need to worry about the circles? Also, one more thing...how long can we keep her out of her cage?

It's almost impossible to decipher why the circles are there. Who knows what lurks in a beardies mind? I wouldn't be too concerned as long as it is eating and basking. Beardies change color for multiple reasons. The circles may show up just because he is not warmed under the light. It's not always for a bad reason.
As far as being out of the enclosure...
They can be out out for hours. What is important is that they need to bask up to 2 hrs to digest food. If you make sure it basks after it eats, having it out is not a problem.
-----
www.classylizard.com