Hey y’all, we rescued a juvenile bearded dragon about a month ago (no clue about his age, looks to be 4-6 months old) from a guy who had him in bad living conditions, he just didn’t know anything about them. Regardless he was super sweet for about a month till this week. As soon as I stick my hand in his cage he flips out and either tries to run away or fluffs and immediately has his mouth open to try and bite me. He has bit me a few times, however it’s pretty easy to get him out and force socialize him. Any reason to this sudden aggression? As soon as I put my hand up to the glass he jumps back, fluffs and opens his mouth. We have 3 other adult beardies and two other juveniles around the same age and none of them act like this, they’re sweet as pie. Just wondering what may have caused this. Thanks!
He can see one other dragon in a tank next to him, although she is perfectly fine. Not housed with another dragon either. Lighting is a 50W basking bulb with a reprising T5
What are her basking temps? and how are you taking them? And where is the T 5 on top of screen or in tank ? It might be the other dragon causing the aggression - you could try putting up some sort of block so she cant see the other dragon to see if her behavior doesnt change
Karrie
What are her basking temps? and how are you taking them? And where is the T 5 on top of screen or in tank ? It might be the other dragon causing the aggression - you could try putting up some sort of block so she cant see the other dragon to see if her behavior doesnt change
Karrie
He can see one other dragon in a tank next to him, although she is perfectly fine. Not housed with another dragon either. Lighting is a 50W basking bulb with a reprising T5
My advise is , place a view blocker between the two tanks if they are next to each other so the male can't see the female all the time
OR
set up a threadbar based shelving system so you can stack one tank above the other.
Requirements :
4 x M20 galvanized threadbars of suitable length
2 x pieces of 3/4inch thick plywood each with 4 holes drilled to slip threadbar through
16 galvanized M20 nuts
16 galvanized M20 washers
I was going to say basically the same thing - him seeing the female all the time might have made him more aggressive --- block his view from her
Karrie
Sounds kinda like a teenager/adolescent, eh? Other animals go through this; it wouldn't surprise me if reptiles did as well, though I don't find anything on Google (yet).
I agree with blocking the view from the female. I don't know if the male can tell a female from sight, but maybe he can smell her as well? He may just see another dragon, and territorial instincts are aroused. It appears to be some kind of arousal...