Hides while out!!!

[chops]

So we have has our beardie for about 8 months. He is a year old almost now. He won't flare up or anything or is aggressive in any way and when handled grasps on and clings to our shirts. But for some reason when he is out of the cage and exploring he finds the deepest darkest spots and just chills there and won't come out. He surfs along the walls behind couches. it's lile he only wants to explore things that we can't get to him while he's there. And once he's under there if you try to move him he clings to the carpet and doesn't want to leave unless it's on his own terms.

Any thoughts as to why he does this?

He also licks everything under the couch. I know that's his way of surveying the area but why is he so obsessed with the dark?

 

[cynikalkat]

My 2 y/o female does that too. I'm a beginner with these lizards, but I am not concerned about it.

 

[CooperDragon]

They do like to find places that feel cozy to them. If it's safe, I would continue to allow him to explore and when he bunkers down after a little while and starts to get cold, put him back in his tank. You can also set up a portable basking lamp (I've used a clamp lamp attached to a lamp pole) and he will eventually learn where it is and return to it (but do keep an eye on him and just put him back in the tank if he gets cold). Both of my boys used to love running behind the couch and taking a nap behind the TV stand.

 

[chops]

haha thank you! that makes sense. He does like to just lay and hide. I have to move the couches just to get him out when he gets cold.

 

[CooperDragon]

I was about to post a photo of my Dundee laying on top of the atari (wedged between the atari and a shelf right above it) but realized it was one of the shots I took on film. Point is that it's normal from what I've seen. I hope your couches are light! I have a Nok Hockey table under my couch and Cooper used to go under the couch and sit on that so I'd just pull it out with him on it to fetch him which helped. Maybe a board or something similar under the couch will make it easier to get him out if the couch is tough to move.

 

[anwyn]

Yup, Mort does this too!

I have a secret patented device for dragon-under-sofa removal. 3 pieces of square cardboard (mine were leftover from moving) slid under the sofa flush against the wall at the back. You can't see them at the front but can reach them to pull out. When she's gone cold and quiet - I pull her out like it's a giant lizard spatula.

 

[cynikalkat]

Milla's new favorite hiding spot is behind the cough, between the wall and the extra mattress (futon mattress). I have to move the whole thing to get her out. Silly dragon.