Beardie nightmares?

[MadMeeper]

I'm sure a lot of you fellow beardie owners experience this; crickets chirping at night and keeping you up. Well, just 10 minutes ago I got out of bed to find the little bugger and throw him outside, and I reached under the place where my beardie was sleeping to feel around for the cricket. All of a sudden, she went crazy.

She bolted from where she was sleeping to the other side of the tank. When she ran, she remained a lighter color, but her beard and the tip of her tail were clearly darkened. No dark "speckles" that they get when they are angry. She keeps her head low, and when she stops running, she hisses. I tried to pet her or pick her up to comfort her as I do often when she is scared or angry, but she either runs away again or hisses. I dare not get near her now, in fear of loosing a finger. (she seemed to start falling asleep again and I came here to ask what's up with her.)

I've never seen this before...and I'm highly concerned for her. She is normally such a sweet thing, never would hurt anything but what is clearly her food, loves being held, knows who I am, and knows what a human is and sees them as no threat. What exactly is going on? Did she have a nightmare and "cant wake up?" Did she think I was a predator? Any help would be appreciated.

I hope she returns to normal in the morning....

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Hello,

I think you may have just startled her. Beardies tend to go into defense mode when woken abruptly. Yes...she probably saw you as a predator and was reacting out of instinct. When waking a beardie or touching them while they are sleeping you have to be real gentle and approach them slowly. Try never to come from behind or overhead, only from the front. I'm pretty sure what you witnessed was a beardie who had been sound asleep and was frightened. I'm sure she will be fine this morning.

Dawn

 

[MadMeeper]

That's what seemed to have happened. This morning I went to pet her (so she could clearly see my hand) she was still startled and went into a defensive phase. Last night I put some greens in her bowl just in case she wanted them. I left for a few minutes and when I came back she was eating them, and I was able to pick her up with no problems afterward.

The major reason why worried is because she shares the tank with one other beardie, and I didn't want them to get in a fight and get hurt. Thankfully that other one was sound asleep during the whole thing. Both are females.

Thanks for your help! ^^

 

[TheDragonKeepers]

I go like that if someone suddenly pokes me awake! YARGH!!!! (My partner knows to be very careful in mornings, heheheh)
Probably just gave her a boo - sounds like she's forgiven you already though.

 

[TheRedDragonAkaRed]

get your hand underneith her belly she wont be able to reach you....and lift her up like that supporting her tail......and then do your thing (comfort her)....she will come around.....you might have bumped her at somepoint and she might be considering you as a preditor.