Black Beard?

[imperialkingworms]

We got my beardie Mumbo from a pet store a few months ago. He had been given to the pet store because the previous owner didn't have space for him anymore. He's 3-4 years old and about 19 inches long. So far, he's been amazing. He's been eating everything well, including his salads. He loves to be handled and taken out to bask in the window. He loves to explore the living room. He loves to go for a quick soak in the bath tub. He seems to love just about everything we've done with him. Tonight, like every night, we were all settling down for bed when I noticed Mumbo climbing around his cage. He's usually already hunkered down in his preferred spot and half asleep, so seeing him traipsing around the cage was a little unusual. I decided to investigate, and when I picked him up, I realized his beard was completely black (usually it is tan with some orange). I had read that this was generally breeding or territorial behavior, but nothing has changed so I have no clue what triggered the behavior at all. Within 2 minutes of taking him out and handling him, he changed right back to his normal orange and tan self. I'm not worried because he seems totally fine, but I'm wondering what could've caused it in the first place. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Jiffy]

Hi. Not trying to make this sound like a smart answer at all, but sometimes they do it just because they can. Sometimes it is anger, sometimes mating signs, sometimes it is not feeling well. And sometimes, (especially with my beardie Foster) just because it is Tuesday! :wink: :lol: Seriously, Waffle only blackbeards if he sees Foster. Brady blackbeards only when I give him a bath. Foster black beards if he sees Waffle, or Brady, or I give him a bath or just because he is laying in his hammock with nothing provoking him.
Hopefully it was just a because I can thing, and nothing is wrong with your beardie. He could have just wanted attention.