Bearded Dragon Help! Stress Marks?

[shrambo]

So I got my beardie yesterday. And it's now nearly 10 am the next morning. Everythings fine except for a few minor things. My first concern is the basking bulb. I have a 100 watt basking bulb about 8ish? inches above him (I'm really bad at guessing measurements). He's in a 40 gallon breeder. Is a 100 watt bulb too hot? According to my temperature gun it can get up to 111 degrees. Also, I just fed him some crickets. I tried doing it in a separate tank (a 20 gallon empty aquarium to make hunting the crickets easier. And so the leftover crickets are easier to remove). He at one point tried catching one but wasn't very into it. But when I fed him the crickets in his normal tank he hunted them faster. I guess he's still warming up and getting usd to things. But what concerns me now is I just noticed "stress marks" on his chin. I've heard about these. The gray lines. He's really peeling on his chin, so I'm not sure if that's related. He's basking right now. I just don't want him to be all stressed out. He seemed fine before this. He even ate a few veggies. Is there anything I should do? His eyes are shut at the moment. Ok, I'm watching him and he just puffed out his beard like twice. Like he was swallowing or something. It didn't stay puffed out. I don't think... Ok I just took a picture. Here:

Oh, and I'm feeding him small crickets. But there was a moderately sized cricket mixed in with them. It wasn't too huge. But it was still a good size. I'm afraid that's whats affecting him. I doubt it. I think I'm over thinking things. Because I'm a first time reptile/ bearded dragon owner. Thanks to anyone who helps!
-- Oh, and he waves. ALOT. Not sure if I mentioned that. I'm pretty sure it's at reflections.

 

[Nova1014]

As far as his eating habit goes, Im not surprised he ate faster/better in his own cage. If you just got him, he is still settling in.. so moving him to feed would mean getting used to another set of surroundings (granted, I know its minor but can still upset them.. finicky little things! lol) This could be one cause to his stress marks. Also, it looks as though hes shedding.. With my girl, shedding is the equivelant to pms.. haha. So the stress marks could be in reaction to the uncomfortable feeling. And as far as temp goes.. may be a bit too hot. I know with the younger ones it shouldnt get higher than 110, so Im not sure how old your guy is. But there are some great care sheets on here that help with lighting http://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/

hope this helps

 

[shrambo]

Thanks for the help! Yea, I think I'm gonna move the heat lamp off the highest point for now. And get another fixture with a dimmer. He just ran over to his hide log and rubbed his head against it. So it's most likely the shedding. How long does shedding usually go on for?

 

[Nova1014]

Thanks for the help! Yea, I think I'm gonna move the heat lamp off the highest point for now. And get another fixture with a dimmer. He just ran over to his hide log and rubbed his head against it. So it's most likely the shedding. How long does shedding usually go on for?

Well from the pics you posted it looks like hes got some skin hanging off his head, so Id say shedding is the most obvious answer But shedding time all depends on the beardie and where exactly theyre shedding.. My girl has only shed out her hind legs and tail since ive had her, and that usually lasts about 2-3 days. Not sure if youre aware, but giving them a bath can help with shedding skin. Just make sure the temp is hot, but not too hot and not to deep. Usually filling up the sink or bath tub a couple inches works just fine.

 

[wolfysluv]

Heli has had stress marks off and on every day since the day we got him. I've found no pattern as to why other than if he gets uncomfortable they get much darker. I've asked here and am doing everything "right". So, I dont know. It does worry me though. In fact I rarely see them totally "gone", there always seems to be some sort of () markings.

Can that be normal? The markings in this dragons picture are just a hair darker than what Heli normally walks around with each day.

 

[wolfysluv]

Is there belly supposed to be totally "white" without a trace of markings most of the time?

 

[shrambo]

i'm not sure. this is only my second day. but the whole car riide home. and introduction to his new tank. and everything. he never had stress marks. just all white. now it's not. but i think the shedding is uncomfortable. he's running around rubbing against everything.

 

[wolfysluv]

Yeah, so it's not normal for "him". :/