look at my new beardie, does these look like stress marks?

[nicolemarie117]

I got a new beardie Friday afternoon, so I know it could be from the stress of moving. But I could not tell if these were stress marks, or just the markings of beardies. Please let me know what you think and if you do think that they are stress marks, what can I do? Thanks for all your advice and help!

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Hello,

First of all Congrats on your new beardie...he is adorable!

To answer your question....yes, those do look like stress marks. Do they go all the way down his belly?

It seems you already know that they do go through some relocation stress. It's perfectly normal for them to have the stress marks while going through this period of adjustment. Sometimes it can take up to a few weeks for them to really settle in.

There of course are other factors that can make them show stress marks, such as temps and lighting. Have you gone over your set up with anyone on here yet?

 

[nicolemarie117]

thank you! no not on here. but i have done TONS of research. and all my temps are reading fine. i just got him out for a bit for the first time today. when i tried to put him back in his cage he ran up my arm like he didnt want to go back in. so does that mean he is somewhat comfortable around me right? they are on his neck, but then when it gets down to his belly they look more like this ( )

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Yes, from what you described they are definitely stress marks. I wouldn't worry too much since he is still new to his environment. Him not wanting to get back in his enclosure is probably due to him wanting to spend time out exploring with you.

I would feel more comfortable knowing that everything with his set up is okay. So, if you could just answer a few questions...we can make sure that he is good to go!

What Brand and Type UVB are you using? Fluorescent tube, compact, coil or MVB?
What Type and Watt basking bulb?
What size enclosure?
What are the temps both Basking and Coolside?
How are you measuring your temps? digital thermometer with wire and probe, stick on, dial temp gun?
What substrate are you using?
What are you feeding and how often?
Are you using Calcium and Multivitamins? How often?
Are you bathing/soaking your beardie?

 

[nicolemarie117]

reptisun 10.0 tube light
not sure what brand basking light but its a 75 watt
35 gallon tank (it was givin to me so i figured id use it untill he got a little older)
basking - 102 cool - 87
using digital w/ probe
using reptile carpet
offering crickets 3 times a day - he has been eating about 8 crickets in one serving
always collard greens in his bowl (going to get some other veggies for him today)
offerd carrots, havent seen him eat them yet though.
no calcium or multi vitiams, i just have some dusting powder for the crickets. (if you have any advice on this i would appreciate it)
I bathed him last night for the first time since ive had him. he did not stay in to long though. I put the water in a lid and put it on a towel so that if he was not comfortable he could crawl out. he only stayed in for like 3 min. the temp may have been too cold. how do i know if its too cold or too hot?
thank you so much for you time and your help!!!!

 

[herpfreak]

Hi! What an adorable beardie! Congrats!

Everything sounds great! Good job! I do have a few suggestions.
What kind of powder do you use (brand)? Powder to dust on crickets counts as calcium and vits.
Here's a great site for dosages:
http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Nutrition.html
The above site also has a great food chart that is worth glancing at.
The baths should be 90-100*; if you don't have a way of measure the temperature of the water, use your wrist. It should feel warm, but not hot.

Dawn it right; those are stress marks, but there's no need to worry yet. Stress marks are perfectly normal for the first few weeks.

 

[nicolemarie117]

i have reptocal. thanks for link! thank ya'll so much for making me feel better about the stress marks. but other than those, he isnt showing any signs of being scared or anything. like i said earlier he didnt want to go back in his cage! when i get him out he will run around on the couch a little then i will get him and will settle down a little more. last night he cuddled with me on the couch and slept for about an hour on my chest. so i figured that he wasnt to scared if he is doing all this right? when do you recommend me giving him another bath? thanks so much!

 

[Judah'sHuman]

That could just be his normal marks as well. When Judah was little he had waht I called leapord spots on his belly. This is the way he looked all the time, even if he wasnt falling off his branch

Stress marks usually are when their beard turns almost black. This isn't as predominate in little guys but they still get very dark lines. If they coem and go then I would then call them stress marks.

 

[herpfreak]

Aww, sounds like he's really getting used to you!
I give Budo baths every day; he loves them! Although three or four baths a week is fine, and, although your beardies seems very content, you don't want to push him when he's so new.

 

[nicolemarie117]

okay, i will wait untill thursday or friday to try the bath again. even though these may the stress marks, he sure is very peaceful now! lol. got him out of the cage and he snuggle right up to me in my shirt and went to sleep.

he such a sweet boy when its late and he is ready for bed, he just wants to cuddle.
but during the day, woah! lol he just wants to run all over the place!
really, thanks everyone so much for all your help.

 

[herpfreak]

:love5: Too cute! Aren't snuggles the greatest?

 

[Judah'sHuman]

awwww! that is so too cute! :love5: They are qutie rambunchious when they are kids! But im sure he'll calm down

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Yeah....they can definitely be little sweethearts at bedtime!

Glad you are enjoying him!