Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My male (2 yr old) dragon has suddenly started acting strangely. He has a very dark beard which is swollen under his chin even when he is resting. This just started today. Usually his beard is black and puffed out when he is alert, but he has been like this all day. He is lethargic and just holds his head up and his eyes are half open. Please advise. Thanks.

I have no idea, I'd get him checked out by a vet and have a fecal done to start with. The lazy thing could be brumation but that wouldn't explain the swollen beard. Good luck, let us know what you find out.

Sean
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Heart Mountain Herps

I noticed that you mentioned this "swollen" beard in another topic, could you please get a picture of this maybe so we can tell whether it is actualy swollen or if it's just puffed up in a defensive display. In terms of the eyes being half open, I wouldn't be worried about this, unless he hasn't properly opened themfor a couple days. My beardie sometimes lies on his branch to bask under the heat lamp with his beard puffed up a bit, I don't know whether this is done in an aggressive display, because he doesn't show any other signs of aggression or anything, or if this is just to increase the surface area of his throat to absorb heat quicker, also I'm sure the blackening of the beard helps absorb heat). He does close his eyes halfway sometims during basking, this usualy leads to him falling asleep after a bit, Or him just lying there looking up a little in an incredibly lazy looking posture. So I don't know whether or not there actualy IS something wrong with your beardie or if you're just mistaking it's natural behaviour, but either way, it's good that you're seeking help for any changes in behaviour, cause remember, it's often hard to tell when a reptile is sick unless you know the reptile's usual behaviour, even then it could be tricky, good luck with the beardie though

Thanks for the comments. Please see the message I added to the thread above reading "Please read" under the thread "BEARDIE EMERGENCY". Thanks.