New Bearded dragon..... Relocation Stress?

[jobee]

Hi guys, I am new to the forum and I am just looking for a bit of advice. I have re-homed a 2 year old male bearded dragon. He arrived 9 days ago. He was well looked after by his previous owner. The day he arrived his previous owner had fed him as normal (tub of locusts and some watercress). His VIV is set up exactly as his previous home (I bought all the set up with him) and all settings are the same. By the end of the first day he had darkened in colour and literally lay in the same position for about 24 hours. On the second day I decided to move him as I was convinced he was dead. This perked him up and he ate 3 size 5 locusts. Usually his diet is 3 bags of watercress per week and locusts size 5 x 3 times a week (what the previous owner gave him). On the third day he refused to eat. I gave him a bath and this again perked him up and he went off exploring for a short time. Day 4 he refused to eat and day 5 I bought some fresh locusts and some waxworks as a treat. He ate about 10 wax worms. Day 6 ate 3 locusts, day 7 refused to eat and day 8 ate about 5 wax worms. He also had a couple of mouth fulls of watercress. I am really concerned that he is not eating enough. Also day 8 he had a bath and along came a massive poop! Following this he ran about for a short while and then went back in his VIV. He went to the warmest corner, digged himself a spot and has literally remained there for the past 24 hours. Not interested in anything I put in front of him, he just looks at me as if to say WTF? On day 7 and 8 I noticed him face rubbing on the carpet and his basking rock. He is still a dark colour but not as bad as the first few days. From all my reading it sounds like he is suffering from relocation stress which is fair enough as he has not only moved house but also has had a new owner to contend with. I thought he had perked up on day 7 as he seemed really happy exploring and was full of mischief! I have also noticed he is doing slow type push up now and again to absolutely nothing. I'm just really concerned regarding feeding and the fact he seems to have reverted back to day 2 where he didn't move. If it is relocation stress how long would this last? Also maybe he could be preparing the shed with the face rubbing? I have been giving him baths every other day as that is what previous owner did. I have kept everything exactly as before in terms of routine, set-up etc I am just super concerned and any advice would be greatly appreciated! :-(

 

[CooperDragon]

Welcome to the forum! I think it's good that you've kept his setup the same for now to reduce stress. He will probably sense the change and be a bit stressed out but that really varies between individual dragons. What do you have in place for lighting? What are the temps around his tank?

The face rubbing definitely sounds like he may be getting ready to shed. The adults tend to shed in patches so you may only see part of his face shed but it could be more widespread. That can have an effect on both mood and appetite as well.

It sounds like he is eating quite a bit for an adult. Since he is fully grown he won't really need a whole lot. I would offer a bug meal only once or twice per week as he should be eating mostly veges at this point. Offer him a nice big salad with a few different items and rotate what you offer depending on what looks fresh at the store. Try adding some squash, bell pepper, green beans, different dark leafy greens, and maybe occasional fruit to the mix. This is a good list to reference for ideas http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html

Can you post some photos of him and his setup? You can upload photos here https://www.beardeddragon.org/useruploads/ and post them to your thread using the XIMG button.

 

[jobee]

Hello, thank you for your reply. Reggie has had all new UV lights last week and the heat lamp is about 2 months old. I have uploaded some photos for you. His VIV is 5ft x 2ft x 2ft. He moves along his VIV depending on what heat gradient he wants.

I did say to previous owners it seemed a lot to be feeding him and expensive! I'm not concerned about that as much. I am more concerned of the fact of food in the past 10 days since arriving and have not really eaten any of his Veg/Salad on offer. I have offered all sorts, salads, peppers, squash, dark leafy greens and even some treats blueberries, strawberries, apples etc. Just wanted him to eat something!

I have woken up this morning and he is still in the same corner, but his VIV hasn't warmed up yet to full temp. I have noticed a pattern where he becomes fully active around 12pm but kind of looks about or basks from around 10:30-11.

Reggie is due for another bath today but going to see how he is once he 'wakes' more (if he decides too today!).

This could be normal behaviour for him? Having the odd quiet days but as he is new to me I am still learning to read his moods and pattern of behaviours, which makes me concerned about everything haha

 

[CooperDragon]

It's possible that's just his routine. If you have a good gradient then he will move around as you said. I'd just keep offering food and let him take what he wants. Monitor his weight to see if that is remaining stable. Does he like baths? If so, they're fine but if they are stressful to him they aren't necessary and I would avoid them unless he needs to be cleaned.

 

[jobee]

Yeah is likes bath's and has them around 3 times a week. He actually perked up and ate loads - at last! And then went exploring. I think it is just his routine and maybe I just need to get used to it? There seems to be a pattern forming in his behaviour so I am not so worried now

 

[CooperDragon]

Good to hear. They seem to really respond to routine so either setting or following (or a combination) their routine seems to be helpful, at least at first as they are settling in.