Stressed baby beardie

AnnieT

Member
Beardie name(s)
Emma
I've had a baby beardie since 12/24. She's been settled at home for a while. She has really dark stress marks that won't go away. She's been eating really well. I've tried baths. She seems to hate them. I have the water temp around 100°F. I've been handling her as little as possible. I haven't picked her up in days other than to give her a bath and clean out tank, which I did at the same time. The room is quiet. Her tank is dark at night. The temps are right. There are no other pets around her. I've been hand feeding. I've put a tank top I've worn in the tank for a while. She's fed the right diet. She has a good hiding place. I put a towel over the tank numerous times. I use a calm, affectionate voice when I talk to or around her. I don't pick her up from above. She runs away from my hand if she thinks I'm going to pick her up. I've played so, instrumental music, had the TV on quietly (she seems to watch), I've tried using a laser pointer with food reward. I'm at a loss. I love her so much, but I cant seem to help her. Any ideas? Bowels and urates appear normal and removed from tank as soon as I see it (at least once a day).
 

Hobama

Hatchling Member
Beardie name(s)
Reginald/Reggie
I've had a baby beardie since 12/24. She's been settled at home for a while. She has really dark stress marks that won't go away. She's been eating really well. I've tried baths. She seems to hate them. I have the water temp around 100°F. I've been handling her as little as possible. I haven't picked her up in days other than to give her a bath and clean out tank, which I did at the same time. The room is quiet. Her tank is dark at night. The temps are right. There are no other pets around her. I've been hand feeding. I've put a tank top I've worn in the tank for a while. She's fed the right diet. She has a good hiding place. I put a towel over the tank numerous times. I use a calm, affectionate voice when I talk to or around her. I don't pick her up from above. She runs away from my hand if she thinks I'm going to pick her up. I've played so, instrumental music, had the TV on quietly (she seems to watch), I've tried using a laser pointer with food reward. I'm at a loss. I love her so much, but I cant seem to help her. Any ideas? Bowels and urates appear normal and removed from tank as soon as I see it (at least once a day).
how big is the tank? have the stress marks been there since you got her and wont go away or did they just appear? how old and big is she?
 

xp29

BD.org Addict
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Zen , Ruby ,Snicker Doodles, Sweet Pea, Sinatra
It can take a while for them to relax, you have to remember they are brand new to the world, they haven't learned what is safe and what isn't, they haven't learned to be self assured or bold yet. Have patience it will take time, but it will happen, just not over night. It took my oldest dragon 🐉 more than a year to not be afaid of EVERYTHING. Even longer to actually be bold and settled. Now he could give two chits about anything lol.(he's 4 now) and also the biggest baby and cuddle bug 🐛 you've ever seen.
 

AnnieT

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Emma
how big is the tank? have the stress marks been there since you got her and wont go away or did they just appear? how old and big is she?
She's in a 20 gal tank. Going to upgrade to 120 gal within the next couple of months. I think she's only about 2 months old. She's 8 inches long
 

AnnieT

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Emma
It can take a while for them to relax, you have to remember they are brand new to the world, they haven't learned what is safe and what isn't, they haven't learned to be self assured or bold yet. Have patience it will take time, but it will happen, just not over night. It took my oldest dragon 🐉 more than a year to not be afaid of EVERYTHING. Even longer to actually be bold and settled. Now he could give two chits about anything lol.(he's 4 now) and also the biggest baby and cuddle bug 🐛 you've ever seen.
Okay. I'm glad to hear that. I don't mind waiting at all. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't somehow unintentionally traumatizing her lol
 

Hobama

Hatchling Member
Beardie name(s)
Reginald/Reggie
She's in a 20 gal tank. Going to upgrade to 120 gal within the next couple of months. I think she's only about 2 months old. She's 8 inches long
ok it seems like you are doing everything right. she probably just needs time. I'm currently going through the same issue with my new dragon. something i do with mine is feeding him in a seperate tub. its mainly to keep bugs from getting loose in the enclosure but i think its helping him with socialization since he associates my hand with food so its nothing scary.
 

AnnieT

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Emma
ok it seems like you are doing everything right. she probably just needs time. I'm currently going through the same issue with my new dragon. something i do with mine is feeding him in a seperate tub. its mainly to keep bugs from getting loose in the enclosure but i think its helping him with socialization since he associates my hand with food so its nothing scary.
Okay. I can try that. She seems to enjoy chasing the dubias in her tank. I put them in a couple at a time. I can try feeding her in a tub though. Can I use the same tub that I got for her baths?
 

Hobama

Hatchling Member
Beardie name(s)
Reginald/Reggie
Okay. I can try that. She seems to enjoy chasing the dubias in her tank. I put them in a couple at a time. I can try feeding her in a tub though. Can I use the same tub that I got for her baths?
i would def try but sense she doesnt like baths it might make her more nervous. if it does you might try a cardboard box or something that looks different from her bath tub so she feels more comfortable. also if its like a regular plastic tub it might help to put a towel or something in the bottom so she has more traction to chase them down.
 

AnnieT

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Emma
i would def try but sense she doesnt like baths it might make her more nervous. if it does you might try a cardboard box or something that looks different from her bath tub so she feels more comfortable. also if its like a regular plastic tub it might help to put a towel or something in the bottom so she has more traction to chase them down.
I'll try that. Thank you for the advice!
 

xp29

BD.org Addict
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Zen , Ruby ,Snicker Doodles, Sweet Pea, Sinatra
Something else you can do, try getting her out just a little bit before her lights go off,let her snuggle in and fall asleep on you, they are generally more calm near bed time. They come to expect and want nightly snuggles pretty quickly, it helps build trust and bonding. ..... and just wait till she does the little wiggle, i haven't met anyone yet who don't melt for the wiggle.
 

AnnieT

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Emma
Something else you can do, try getting her out just a little bit before her lights go off,let her snuggle in and fall asleep on you, they are generally more calm near bed time. They come to expect and want nightly snuggles pretty quickly, it helps build trust and bonding. ..... and just wait till she does the little wiggle, i haven't met anyone yet who don't melt for the wiggle.
I'll definitely try that!
 

AnnieT

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Emma
Quick question. Is it normal for her to chill with her hands and feet up like that? She's done it several times
 

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xp29

BD.org Addict
Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Zen , Ruby ,Snicker Doodles, Sweet Pea, Sinatra
Yup, we get asked about it about once a month lol 😆
 

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