Is my beardie a teenager?

[bennyandthefish]

First to all experienced that give advice thank you! When I first got Benny he seemed so sad? With all your advice and guidance I realized it was his light. He grew great rapidly ate and is doing awesome...

NOW From what I'm reading I think I'm experiencing a teen beardie?

Benny was 4 months old on sept 3. I got him when he was about a month and a half. As a new mom I had no idea what to do but I know I did all the right things and he seemed happy. In about the past month or so Benny runs away from me when I go into his cage to pet him or pick him up and almost every time this past week he's flaring he newly active beard and hissing at me almost every time I go in to touch him. So I've just let him be trying to pet him while in his cage and he sometimes let's me do that but he flattens himself like a pancake? I tried to actually take him out yesterday and he almost lounged out of my hand and was acting like a wet fish? I know I'm silly but he goes to snap at me and I get scared like a little prissy girl but it's just my reaction. I'm working on not flinching cause maybe that scares him too.

He definitely seems well and growing like a wild fire and I have just been getting so upset lately that he's so aggressive and that he's showing stress marks so often when I come near him.

I am a stay at home mother of 2 toddler boys so I am always checking on Benny since his tank is next to our dining room and I'm always feeding my boys too. I talk to him and we are always in front of him so it's not like we are strangers or he lacks any attention and he gets all his necessities.

Please someone just give me a rundown on what's going on with him as I have no idea about their stages.

I am dealing with all these little boys who are giving me a run for my money! A amazing bratty preschooler, a fun loving terrible two and now a teen bearded dragon? Oh MY

 

[mikewithsfi]

Your beardie maybe shedding. The first thing beardie owners notice is a change in temperament. Beardies may become reclusive or even snappy. These displays of antisocial and aggressive behavior are due to the stress that comes with shedding. Young bearded dragons rapidly double and triple in body mass from the moment they are born until they are about a year of age. Because of this, you may expect your young dragon to shed skin every couple of months or even weeks. Depending on the dragon, this may occur as often as every four weeks!

Look at his coloring, do you notice a change in it, beardies skin color may start to become muted or dull up to days before shedding begins.. Maybe some flakiness in some areas. Being you have only had him about 2 1/2 months old I am ruling out neglect of not paying attention or spending time with him, plus you say you have.

 

[bennyandthefish]

He's shed at least 3 times already it's wild. I have noticed before that's happened he stays in his cave a lot. His color looks good. But he's getting so big so fast that I would think he's could be growing out of his skin weekly.

So I should just keep up on him and he should turn around? How long do these phases last?

Again, Thank you for your posts

 

[mikewithsfi]

The thing with beardies is they shed as much as they grow. Also they dont shed the whole body at the same time, just parts. yes keep up with him, also I forgot to mention if you give him a warm bath daily, about 10 minutes at a time, this should help his shed process. The phases will last as long as it takes him to shed all the skin he is currently shedding, thats why I suggest a daily bath. Each time he sheds his temperament could be different. I think it depends on where the shed is taking place or how annoying it is. My beardie at 2 1/2 does not eat as much when he sheds.