Bearded Dragon Stress When Handling

[Kevinjareczek]

Hello all. My bearded dragon is about 9 months old now, and I've had him since he was about four months old. Recently when I started to take him out of his tank, he began to get extremely dark and stressed. Not only does he start to get darker, but his eye lids begin to droop (he is bathed often for hydration, but hates that too). It happens right when he is taken out, so it's not due to being cold, and he shows absolutely no signs of aggression. He's a very pretty boy, but for some reason lately he gets like this every single time he's taken out. When he's put back, he hides for a bit, and then is perfectly happy again and has zero stress marks. Any one else experience this with their beardies? Thanks ahead of time!

- Kevin

Edit: He also freezes up. And by that, I mean he stays completely still (during baths, and during handling)

 

[HKzForDayz]

How often does he get to come out? Maybe build him a little free roam area (if safe to do so) and add a little portable basking area for him so you can have him out for longer period of time, allowing him to adjust to being "out"