Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is it true when a beardie darkens or has patterns showing on his belly that he's stressed out? If so how do I unstress the poor little guy? Temp., lighting, food, are all how they're supposed to be. We got him in a low traffic area with part of his cage blocked so the little traffic that does go by doesn't freak him out. But yet he's so dark. What am I missing? He's young in a 10 gallon. Is that too big? What else could it be?

How young? Under 4 months a 10 gallon is fine for size, but hard to get the temp variations they need to thrive.

Have you talked to the breeder that hatch and raised him? ONly they can tell you what he is use to

Some are raised in opaque white or green tubs and never see people til feeding time and that is impersonal with crickets tossed into them. When those dragons go to a new home, they stress the worst of all as they are suddenly in a tank with open sides, people around them all the time and now all the siblings are gone too. No wonder they stress

If you can not reach the breeder, enclose all his side but one and make sure he knows you are there before putting your hand in the tank or anything else.

Its hard in a 10 gallon, but try to pick him up from the front and underneath of him, not overheard... overhead is a natural instinct to them of a predator and for all he knows you already ate the siblings and are coming for him.

We've had babies arrive that only relaxed and ate when they we place another baby in a tank next to them and they could see it and see it eat... sometimes they are just scared of the unknown
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I'll give it a try.