New class pet, hiding all the time, help!

[Sheila3300]

Please advise I am getting so worried.
I brought my bearded dragon to school after being at home with me for a month. He is about 5 months old. He was very happy at my house.
The first few days at school, he was fine, basking, I held him, watching the kids, etc. After 2 days he started hiding in his cave. He has now been hiding in there for more than 3 days. I am not sure what to do, do I leave him, or force him out a bit for me to hold him and comfort him? He has even flared his beard at me a few times.
All his temps are fine and he is eating and pooing normally.
I am getting very worried about him, what do I do?

 

[ofcourseilikepasta]

Are there young children running around, being rowdy, noisey, etc.?

He might not like a lot of sudden movements or having too many people around all the time..

 

[Sheila3300]

There are students all over the class, I am a primary teacher (grade k-5). I try to get them to not run around near the tank, but they do at times.
Do you think he will get used to it and come out of hiding? When I had him at home my kids were all over the place near the tank (and it was by the tv), and he was fine, but that was only 2 rowdy kids not 25 .
Thanks.

 

[ofcourseilikepasta]

Yeah they usually adapt to new surroundings pretty well He might just even be confused with being in a different room. Small things can affect their attitudes.

My boy Gary doesn't seem to like when light from outside is shining in the room we keep him in. He "freezes up" and almost seems scared. I'm not sure why, but I suppose it's just something he's not used to. That could be the case for your beardie. Just give him more time to adjust

 

[Sheila3300]

Thank you, I have been so worried. I am also worried because I have not handled him in almost 4 days, I don't want him to become scared of me and not want me to pick him up. Would it be bad if I picked up his cave and picked him up for a bit?

 

[GizmosGrammie]

I think it was between 5-6 months of age my beardie decided to go missing in action & hide for a while. It only lasted a week - 2 weeks tops. Mine went thru huge growth spurts, and I wonder if they just get more tired when they're growing so much as juvies...just a thought. Not a professional declaration or anything. I just wanted to share I experience a similar episode w/my Gizmo.

 

[Esther19]

When my Cissy was living, I had duplicate tanks at home and at school. I took her back and forth every day. After she crossed over, my other dragons took turns weekly for a while. They enjoyed it, because it got them out of the house. But I have 3rd graders and they don't run around the room.

 

[Sheila3300]

My original plan was to take him home every weekend, I have the set up and carrying case, and my kids (at home) really want to see him, but with him hiding in the cave so much, I was worried that transporting him around may stress him out even more. So for now, I am leaving him on the weekends at school, with lots of food and lights on a timer. I am still not sure what is best, but I think the back and forth would be more confusing right now. Will have to take him home on long weekends and holidays. Once he is settled, I hope to take him home on weekends.