Odd stress marks and irritation

[IBLopez33]

Hello!, i've been concerned with some of my beardies behavior lately. I've had it for just about a month and a half, seems to be only about 3 months old, i've had trouble sexing it ( since its early in age ) but non the less theirs been odd behavior for a couple weeks. It has a 20 gallon exo terra tank, a 150 watt basking bulb which is about a 7-8 inch distance from top to the basking area ( just about 94 degrees F) and the cool side is just about 75-80 degrees F. It's always been content with eating small mealworms that i dust with calcium powder, also has a full and fresh water dish at all times. I recently had moved the tank so that it can watch me at all times around my room because he was getting so un acustomed to human interaction to the point where he was hostile as can be to just my finger no matter how long i took to touch him or how slow i moved. He's gotten a slight bit better with me touching him but heres where the odd part comes in. Anytime i turn my bedroom light off (unless its bed time where hes sleeping as well) he gets dark stress marks and scratches at the glass or will hold himself on a plastic bar and press against the door (for those confused about that statement google the tank exo terra 20 gallon, its longer in length not height) usually after i notice hes pressed up on the glass and scratching,i'll pick him up with ease and hold him. But now it seems he's back to the timid behavior and running away, after i turn my bedroom light on he'll scurry away and carry about his behavior like normal and the stress marks with go away. Anyway i'm not sure what it means and his apitie has somewhat decreased lately as well, he is still using the bathroom normally, just not too much interest. I mist the tank as well, just not sure why he won't really let me touch him without his mouth opening or running away, or why he gets stressed when my bedroom light is off but his lights are still on and perfect temps. Please help!

 

[destiny1998]

Hi. How do you take the temps? Does he have a uvb light? If so what kind? Coil/ compact or tube?

 

[Rankins]

Couple of issues, basking temps are too low and mealworms are not the best diet for them. The mealworms are not easy to digest it can cause vomiting and possibly bowel obstruction.
However, that has nothing to do with your problem. Not sure why the dragon gets stressed when the light is off. Maybe a nightlight will help then try to slowly wean it off.

 

[jayce82]

don't most your tank, you are creating more humodity. could cause respiratory issues down the road

 

[IBLopez33]

Yes it has a UVB coil bulb. I just got home from work and he seems as happy as can be, vibrant color, active, just down right normal. Also finished all of its food. It did just get done shedding as well a couple days ago (don't know if its behavior should still be carrying on thus far) his old tank position was quiet sechludid and hidden from human interaction as well. As for his basking area do you recomend i highten how close he is able to get to it? Anyone i've talked to said watch that basking temp because you don't want to cook the little guy.

 

[Rankins]

Your dragon won't cook under normal basking temps and is able to move out of the hot spot. We do sometimes see burns from lights, but typically its because the basking area is too hot and the dragon can't get away from the hot spot. Do you know the brand name of the coil light? Typically they are not a very good bulb to use. Some cause eye damage.

 

[IBLopez33]

{UPDATE} so my dragon started to act as normal again and returned to full colour and seemed to gain his appitite back. I just had gotten home from work and he was on a branch, flatter than normal, very very dark, and oddly relaxed. Didn't even flinch when i moved my hand toward him or opened the door somewhat fast, i picked him up and he seemed very rough skinned, rough and dry to be exact. So i took him in the bathroom and gave him a bath and he seemed to enjoy it more than he used to ( he used to run and panic much more) this time he was content for most then decided he had enough, again colour came back and movement but as soon as i put him in the tank and came back roughly 10 minutes later he had full stress marks and darkness again. I have no idea why this little guy is so stressed, could it be him seeing his reflection? He seems to stare at the glass on one side much too often