krystalnature
Member
Hello! So, I've recently been having some issues with my male bearded dragon. Backstory: I used to hold him a lot, but I held him a little less when I moved until I eventually stopped because I got cats and was having problems balancing (and other life stuffs). Before I completely stopped holding him, he had the tendency of constantly running away from me (was not interested in sitting on my lap, shoulder or hands at all).
So, just recently, he's been incredibly restless in his tank and doing something called "glass surfing". I don't know what is causing him stress. The first day, I tried to put the leash on him (fussing the whole time) and took him outside because it was finally warm. Barely stayed still and actually tried to run from me when we went outside. Attempt one failed. Second day, he was restless. I took him out, locked up the cats, and let him roam the apartment. His beard turned black, but otherwise, he was fine. He ran towards a frosted window and I assumed perhaps he wanted light. I proceeded to try and put the leash on him again, more gently than the first, and he ran, so it got stuck on his legs. When I went to remove it, he hissed and lunged at me. I am definitely not trying the leash again for a long time, but I can't hold him enough to take him out and enjoy sunlight, so I suppose it would have to wait?
I took him to the vet about two weeks before this. Vet said he was great. I haven't changed anything in his enclosure except adding a branch for him to full body bathe under his UVB light. His heat lamp is fine. I've been feeding him almost primarily mustard greens, but when I gave him some strawberries and blueberries the other day - not interested at all. He's been eating some superworms, but hasn't really been touching the crickets. I mist him at least once or twice a day. He doesn't run away, but he doesn't soak under it like he did sometimes. I'm a little at my wit's end. I don't think he is big enough for me to have to change the tank YET.
Any ideas or help? :/ A friend of mine suggested I hand feed him (which I do quite often with veggies AND the worms) and pet him in the tank (he doesn't mind me petting him while he is inside his tank) and try to hold him for a minute a day or so.
So, just recently, he's been incredibly restless in his tank and doing something called "glass surfing". I don't know what is causing him stress. The first day, I tried to put the leash on him (fussing the whole time) and took him outside because it was finally warm. Barely stayed still and actually tried to run from me when we went outside. Attempt one failed. Second day, he was restless. I took him out, locked up the cats, and let him roam the apartment. His beard turned black, but otherwise, he was fine. He ran towards a frosted window and I assumed perhaps he wanted light. I proceeded to try and put the leash on him again, more gently than the first, and he ran, so it got stuck on his legs. When I went to remove it, he hissed and lunged at me. I am definitely not trying the leash again for a long time, but I can't hold him enough to take him out and enjoy sunlight, so I suppose it would have to wait?
I took him to the vet about two weeks before this. Vet said he was great. I haven't changed anything in his enclosure except adding a branch for him to full body bathe under his UVB light. His heat lamp is fine. I've been feeding him almost primarily mustard greens, but when I gave him some strawberries and blueberries the other day - not interested at all. He's been eating some superworms, but hasn't really been touching the crickets. I mist him at least once or twice a day. He doesn't run away, but he doesn't soak under it like he did sometimes. I'm a little at my wit's end. I don't think he is big enough for me to have to change the tank YET.
Any ideas or help? :/ A friend of mine suggested I hand feed him (which I do quite often with veggies AND the worms) and pet him in the tank (he doesn't mind me petting him while he is inside his tank) and try to hold him for a minute a day or so.