Unusual Behavior

I have a juvenile beardie he was eating fine but lately he does not seem to be interested in his food. He is still active and moves around fine. Lately it seems like he wants nothing to do with me or anyone. Today I took him outside which I have done before and he took off running. I caught him and he puffed up and opened his mouth and was trying to bite me. I understand I probably scared him but his behavior is getting unusual as he was always relaxed when we handled him but now he seems to want to avoid me. Does anyone know what could be causing the unusual behavior?

The UVB what brand and bulb do you have in the tank ? Where is it at on top of screen or inside the tank ?
Karrie

KarrieRee":37cd8fd0 said:

The UVB what brand and bulb do you have in the tank ? Where is it at on top of screen or inside the tank ?
Karrie

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The brand is Reptisun 5.0 HO and on the inside.

Ok so bulb is good but next time you change it out get a 10.0-- they are stronger- the bulb you have now is more for tropical- how far is it from basking it should be 6-8 inches-- how old is the bulb?
Karrie

KarrieRee":184hu2lk said:

Ok so bulb is good but next time you change it out get a 10.0-- they are stronger- the bulb you have now is more for tropical- how far is it from basking it should be 6-8 inches-- how old is the bulb?
Karrie

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It is only about two months old and sits at 7" from the basking spot.

Ok so what is the temp of the basking spot and how are you taking it? infrared gun stick on them ? probe?
Karrie

The temp is 103. I have a probe and also have an infrared gun that I use.

Ok so temp is good - I am baffled as to why he is not eating --- what are you feeding him? And as far as him and the outside deal I am sure you scared him--- thats why the flaring up etc.......... but him not eating and the lighting seems to be good - what about parasites? You can have a fecal done and see if he has parasites that often comes w/ not eating --- but w/ the lighting being good that might not be it either but I maybe would have one done just to rule it out -- I would call your reptile vet and inquire about dropping off a fecal for testing for your dragon find out how much they charge etc and go from there--- how long have you had him? And if his diet has been crickets it is possible he has parasites as they tend to give that and pin worms-- is he basking ?
Karrie

Sometimes it can be as simple as hes about to shed. They can get real emotional when they are shedding lol.
That might explain the lack of appetite too.

As for what happened outside, it's most likely just because he got scared from you chasing him, it's a natural response to puff up.

-Brandon

What is in the dual dome above? Do you have a coil bulb in there?
Karrie

KarrieRee":cg7phit8 said:

What is in the dual dome above? Do you have a coil bulb in there?
Karrie

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I feed him Dubias. He was eating about 60 in the 15 min time frame but for the last couple days he would eat ten and then be done. The bulbs up top 50w repti basking bulbs. It might be because he shedding but not sure.

So there is 2? Yes could be going into a shec--- 60 dubias ? How big are they? When Hiccup was 8 months he would eat 12 at most but 60? No wonder he hasn't eaten that's ALOT
Karrie

KarrieRee":1x5n09dk said:

So there is 2? Yes could be going into a shec--- 60 dubias ? How big are they? When Hiccup was 8 months he would eat 12 at most but 60? No wonder he hasn't eaten that's ALOT
Karrie

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yes there are two in there. the UVB is a Carolina custom that has a basking light in as well and it stays about 102 on that side. Should I remove that one? He still has the middle for the cool spot and the cave.I still have a bunch of smalls so that is what I still feeding him. And that is why I am so confused because he would eat so many before.

So your using 2 UVB's? Is it a coil? If it is I would remove it--- you could be over uvbing him and that would cause the behavior-- I would remove it and see if his behavior changes-
Karrie

KarrieRee":1k0xxmxg said:

So your using 2 UVB's? Is it a coil? If it is I would remove it--- you could be over uvbing him and that would cause the behavior-- I would remove it and see if his behavior changes-
Karrie

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No there is only one UVB. I was referring to a basking bulb