Newbie concerned re dehydration and color change

[terriandgriffin]

Hi guys,

Ive had Griffin for almost a week and I have a couple of concerns about his health. I dont know if thses things are normal but when he sleeps he:

1) changes color. At night time his head and top of his body go pale and get a yellow color. It goes back to normal when he wakes up in the morning. Seems odd to me..?

2) goes floppy. My mum has woken me up twice thinking he was dead. His eyes are shut, head and tail droopy and his legs/feet dont look like they're holding on. When I wake him up he seems very dopey and moves slowly but so do I in the morning haha

My other question is regarding hydration. I am concerned he's not drinking enough, but he does eat small amounts of veggies when it suits him. I bathe him every day and have tried 'misting' and putting small drops on his nose but he doesnt lick it
off. is there anything else I can do?

Like I've said, I may be worrying over nothing but im new to this so any advice or help is really appreciated. Thanks in advance,
terri & griffin

 

[Sierra1167]

I am not sure about the color change, but my beardies very often sleep like ragdolls on their branches. Legs all sprawled behind them and arms hanging. I don't think that's much to worry about. If you are bathing every day, he/she should be getting enough. How are the poops/urates? Unless they are hard, I would think he/she is hydrated. Mine used to lick when I misted them when I bathed every other day, but since I have started baths every day, they don't seem to want more. I also rinse the veggies in cool water before I cut them up,so they get water that way also.

 

[terriandgriffin]

Thanks sierra, I feel much bettr now. Like a rag doll s the perfect way to.describe it.! Il do that with his veggis too so then the bases will be covered.

When I get a chance, il try to post pics of the color change thing. Im thinkong that given that it goes back to normal every day, it should be ok? Its just wierd.

Thanks again!

 

[TwoSheepForAnOre]

haha, what you're seeing with the color change is just him showing his "happy" or content colors. Because he's sleeping, he isn't startled or stressed, so he's not as dark. My guy does the exact same thing. And the rag doll thing too. I'm going to guess that Griffin is still a young beardie? We'd love to see pictures, but mostly for the "awwww cute" moment
I wouldn't worry so much about the lack of drinking. My guy is 6 months old, I've had him for 4 months, and have yet to see him actually "drink." I tried misting him, misting his fake plant, dropping water on his nose....nothing. He does get a bath about every other day or so, and like sierra, I do mist the salad heavily (it always takes him a while to realize there's a salad present, so the top leaves still have some water but the bottom ones are drenched so they don't dry out at all!). Oh, and the crickets....loaded with moisture! The walls of his feeding bin can prove it So as long as he can get water in other ways, he should be good!
Congratulations on becoming a beardie slave!!!

 

[terriandgriffin]

Thanks for ur reply
im having trouble uploading photos but I am trying! Id love to show him off haha

I have changed his tank a little bit and he seems happier, and shows his light colours more often. Again, its making perfect sense with you guys explaining this stuff.

He is eating more since change of tank but he still wont eat a cricket. He's eating small woodies now too which makes me feel better about his hunger strike.

All good on the Griffin front I think. Oh and ur right about the slave part...another added to my growing list of animals But id never trade them for anything!!

Thank you both again