If your disguised dragon is experiencing stress, you may notice any of the following symptoms:

  • Diarrhea
  • Not going to the bathroom
  • Not basking
  • Loss of appetite
  • Not eating at all
  • Lethargy
  • Languor
  • Frenzied activity
  • Hissing
  • Mouth constantly hanging open
  • Head bobbing
  • Glass surfing
  • Beard puffing
  • Stress marks

Of course, there are many potential causes for these symptoms and behaviors; merely they are all unremarkably associated with a stressed bearded dragon.

Disguised Dragon Stress Marks

One of the most common and telltale signs of stress is dark spots or marks that may appear on your dragon'southward chin, neck, and abdomen. Stress marks are quite common if:

  • Your dragon is shedding.
  • Your new dragon is still adjusting to her home and surround.
  • Your dragon is a babe. Infant dragons ofttimes evidence stress marks as they are constantly growing and adapting.

Pro Tip: If your dragon is shedding, giving him a warm bath and misting the cage tin can help. But remember it'southward best to go out him alone every bit much equally possible; he is uncomfortable and won't desire to exist handled.

Depending on your dragon, stress marks may look like dark lines, ovals, or spots, or your dragon'south entire beard may exist blackness fifty-fifty while it is not expanded. Sometimes, the stress marks volition be found on your dragon'south limbs in improver to her belly.

If you notice stress marks on your bearded dragon, don't panic. Chances are, this is very normal. The best thing to do is make note of when the stress marks appeared and if they have an obvious cause. If they don't, and so give your vet a call. Only in most cases, yous're going to be able to connect the stress marks with an obvious source of temporary stress.

Other Possible Causes of Bearded Dragon Stress

In addition to shedding and transition, here are some other mutual causes of bearded dragon stress:

Tank bug, such as:

  • Your dragon'southward tank is likewise hot or too cold.
  • New decor in the tank may exist scaring them.
  • Live feeders left in the tank could be aggravating your dragon.

    Pro Tip: If your dragon is acting stressed, the first thing y'all should do is bank check their environment for a possible cause.

    Surround issues exterior the tank, such as:

    • Moving to a new area.
    • Loud noise, such as outside traffic, dogs, yelling, Television receiver, music, or a crying infant. Vibrations and rumbling from loud noises tin carp your dragon about as much equally the noise itself.
    • A new pet (even a new dragon or reptile in another tank can upset your dragon).

      Poor diet or diet changes.

      This could mean any of the following:

      • Poor nutrition
        • Lack of calcium and Vitamin D3
        • Diet transition (adjusting to more greens and fewer insects)

          Whatsoever time your pet is acting stressed or refusing to eat, it'due south helpful to reevaluate his diet. A salubrious diet can go a long way in making your dragon feel less stressed. Make sure you lot are also providing a adept calcium supplement to back up your dragon's health.

          Infant, juvenile, and developed bearded dragons have different nutritional needs, and so information technology's of import to brand certain you lot are offering the appropriate amount of greens and insects based on your dragon'southward age.

          Take you lot fabricated any changes to what your dragon commonly eats? If you've got a juvenile transitioning from more bugs to more greens, or if you've recently fabricated a change in what you regularly feed your dragon, she may be stressed out. This shouldn't last likewise long; your dragon volition arrange to the modify.

          Mating flavor.

          Adult male person bearded dragons are especially known to act a petty crazy during this time; it volition pass! Your dragon may scrabble at the drinking glass, run frantically dorsum and forth, bob his head, and puff out his beard.

          Mating season is typically from September to March, although for some dragons it tin happen after brumation. The best thing to practise is relish the show and look it out.

          Besides much or not enough handling.

          Some dragons are more appreciating than others. Pay attention to signs of stress while handling your dragon, and especially when kids or strangers are handling her. Go on in mind that even the friendliest dragon needs alone time. Every bit you become to know your dragon, you'll acquire when she wants to be handled and when she would rather be on her own.

            Pro Tip: Most dragons don't want to be handled after feeding time because they need to savor for digestion, so it's all-time to leave them alone after they eat.

            Cohabitation.

            Bearded dragons are safer and happier when housed separately. When they share a tank, disguised dragons make a play for dominance, and the less dominant dragon tin can finish up injured, sick, starving, or killed.

            Your dragon may be afraid of his own reflection.

            If this is the case, yous may want to wrap a groundwork around the sides and back of the terrarium.

            Your dragon has been in the tank too long.

            If your dragon hasn't been out to play and explore in a while, she might be getting a little stir-crazy.

            Pregnancy.

            If your dragon is expecting, she is going to experience some stress. Whether her eggs are fertile or not, your dragon may be frantically looking for a identify to lay them. Definitely call a vet for direction. Yous'll need to provide a nesting area and actress calcium to make sure your dragon stays healthy and comfortable.

            Illness or injury .

            If your dragon is interim abnormally and you've ruled out shedding, diet, and environment issues, pay attention for whatever signs of illness or injury. Some mutual but serious health issues include metabolic os disease, gut impaction, and rima oris rot. If you doubtable your dragon got hurt or is ill, call your vet immediately.

              Bearded dragon out of the terrarium

                How to Forestall or Mitigate Stress for Your Bearded Dragon

                Although it's impossible to avoid stress entirely, it's of import to give your bearded dragon a happy abode where she feels rubber and secure. Depending on the state of affairs, there are some things y'all tin do to mitigate stress or avoid it in the first identify. These include:

                • Avoid handling your dragon if your dragon is new, shedding, or a baby who is non used to you yet. Instead, speak to your dragon gently, and concord your hand in the terrarium gradually so your dragon tin get used to it. Eventually your pet will become calm enough for you to bear upon and handle.
                • Ensure the temperature, lighting, basking spot, and tank are fix up correctly, and adjust as needed. Keep a temperature gun handy and hang a thermometer in the tank too so you'll know immediately if the temperature is off.
                • If you are feeding your dragon insects in the tank rather than a designated feeding bin, clear out any unwanted insects immediately after feeding time.
                • Clean the terrarium regularly.
                • Effort to mitigate noise effectually your dragon.
                • If y'all don't already, be sure to speak gently to your dragon as you approach the tank. Bearded dragons can pick up on tension in your tone.
                • Take your dragon out regularly for walks and playtime.
                • Have plenty of cuddle fourth dimension (when your dragon wants to, of course!).
                • Feed your dragon a balanced nutrition, supplemented with calcium and vitamin D3.

                How to At-home a Stressed Bearded Dragon

                Before you lot fifty-fifty identify the source of stress, yous may need to just calm your dragon down. Hither are a few ways to do that.

                • Caress with your dragon or wrap her in a warm blanket.
                • Requite your dragon a nice warm bath , followed by cuddles in a soft towel.
                • Simply pause as much noise as possible to give your dragon some placidity time.
                • Endeavor turning off the lights until your dragon is more calm (of course you wouldn't want to leave the tank like this for too long so your dragon doesn't go too cold). This works best if it is also quiet.
                • If your dragon is already familiar with you, sometimes just gently lowering your paw into the tank can calm him down as he recognizes your scent.
                • Sometimes offering a treat, such equally your dragon'south favorite fruit, tin can help.

                When to Telephone call a Vet Most Your Stressed Disguised Dragon

                Every situation is different and you may desire to call your vet immediately if yous are seeing signs of stress. In add-on, here are some scenarios where nosotros absolutely recommend calling your vet:

                • Stress marks won't go away later shedding ends or after a calendar week has gone by. (Some baby dragons tend to have stress marks for a while, but it's best to check in with your vet to brand sure everything is fine.)
                • You've checked everything and diet and external factors practice not seem to exist causing your dragon'south stress.
                • Your dragon is exhibiting signs of disease south uch as difficulty walking, bulging eyes, or cherry-red and inflamed gums.

                Stress is something all bearded dragons experience at some point, and most of the time a little observation, adjustment, and care volition become your bearded dragon through.

                If you lot have questions or would like to give feedback, please e-mail us at [e-mail protected]