Harry doing strange things

[Mummapinkham]

Hey everyone,
I am new at this so I have a couple behavior questions -
Harry has been doing what looks like push ups and boinking his head up and down! I thought it was because he sees his reflection in the glass, but we put a background on it and it didn't seem to make a difference. Also he has started hissing when I won't let him get down off my shoulder, usually when he is in a location I can't let him down, or when I take him out of his COLD corner of my livingroom in the middle of the day. He likes to sit there and nap ALL day!
In the morning after he eats and poops he is determined to be let loose and run around and he does this for about ten to 15 minutes and runs to the corner and hides in the coolness and goes to sleep. He is approx 2 years old now, but I have only had him a little over a month and I know he wasn't let out much in his old home and he wasn't as spoiled as he is with me. Is this stuff normal? I just want to make sure I am doing things right for him. He is considered family to us now and I want him to be happy and healthy.

 

[bayoupig5]

:lol: :lol: :lol:
Sorry, I just had to chuckle when I read that post. It sounds like you have one spoiled dragon on your hands and that you have become a.....Beardie Slave!!!

The head bobbing is very typical male bearded dragon behavior, and nothing to get too concerned about. Even my female will do this once in a while.

And my female Emmalee hisses at me too, mostly after a bath, cause she hates that I put her ther in the first place. She also black beards at me when I try to take her out of her cold, dark corners, too. What is it with these dragons who have free run of the house and find the coldest, darkest spot they can, lay down, and nap :?

She also likes to open mouth me a lot, but I also have to say that these behaviors are not constant and seem to go through cycles. Although, not consistent cycles. She will display these behaviors a lot one month and then never for several.

Oh, and Emmy is also a huge napper, she is ready for one anytime, anywhere.

All sounds normal to me. When Emmy shows any aggression, I usually laugh at her and give her a rub under the chin, which usually quickly subdues her mean dragon demeanor.

He is gorgeous, good luck with your new dragon.

 

[Mummapinkham]

Hi bayoupig5,
Thanks for the reassurance! I was a little concerned, but I feel much better now!! So I am a beardie slave huh? Well he is such a love that I don't mind! He has found his way into my heart and I don't mind spoiling him.

 

[bayoupig5]

My Emmalee is very spoiled too, even the vet that I have only seen about three times in 3.5 years, called her a princess. , I was a little embarassed, but he also said she was the healthiest looking beardie in his practice

So it takes one to know one..slave that is.

 

[herpgirl2510]

My three year old male is constantly bobing his head and doing push ups. He does it to my dogs my my husband pretty much anything. Totally normal behavior.

 

[Mummapinkham]

Okay folks here's a question,
Harry is sleeping a lot and gets the stress marks on his belly, but only when he is in his viv - I just changed it all out so I am thinking that's why he is stressed but he sleeps so much now. He is out of his viv in the corner by my chimney sound asleep. Could he be starting his brumation and just hates his viv?

 

[jsnsan]

What kind of UV are you using? What are the temps?

 

[Mummapinkham]

This is his light

His temps were 100-110, but he refused to bask so now they are around 90-93 and he will bask for a bit, poop and then refuse to go back to his basking spot - instead he wants out and finds the coolest spot to go and sleep in. My husband and I are going to change out his light at the end of the summer and get him an 18" Arcadia D3+ Reptile Lamp but he does go outside quite a bit so he is getting the direct sunlight.

 

[bayoupig5]

I'm not sure if I can give you any advice here, as Emmalee often goes through lazy spells, that I cannot break. Just one week ago she was doing the same thing for two weeks straight. Refused to bask, cool sided, etc. She does this quite a bit and I am not sure why. She does brumate, but usually not until October, so I know this is not it. When she does this I just make sure she gets out into the natural sunlight, and she will eventually snap out of it.

 

[Mummapinkham]

Thank you, I will bring Harry outside for a bit today. It is supposed to get in the upper 80's and the sun is shining. Maybe it will help him a little. I had a hard time getting him out of bed this morning. I had to physically move him to his rock and he was not happy, but he felt cold to me even under his blankie. He was happy just laying in bed and did not want to move.

This is how he fell asleep last night and was still there this morning refusing to get up. His light was on and normally he goes right to it when it comes on.

 

[bayoupig5]

:lol: Ok seriously, who would want to get out of that bed!