scratching at tank glass

[angelpaws]

Hello!
I have owned many different reptiles over my life but this is the first beardie I have ever owned. She is a juvenile and Ive had her less than a week. She has everything required as far as lighting (hot and cool sides) climbing areas, no sand in the tank etc. I placed a desert themed sticker on the outside of the tank glass and she began looking at the glass with interest. The scenery looked beautiful but maybe too realistic? The beardie began jumping at the glass and scratching at it. I got concerned that she might injure herself so I removed it but now shes scratching at it periodically throughout the day. I no longer feel she will hurt herself but Im concerned that she is stressing herself. Anybody have any advice?

"Zoey" is otherwise active and eats like a machine. I never see her drink. The temp at the basking site is around 80 degrees (using a cheap stick to the glass therm). She occassionally snacks on veggies but crickets are her true love. She'll literally chase them down!

Thanks!

 

[omg87]

The basking spot should be around 90-100 degrees, if I'm not mistaken. Other than that, scratching at the glass is normal. It could be trying to get your attention or it wants out. Could be a bunch of things. My dragon has yet to figure out what "this mysterious transparent barrier" is. It jumps things outside of it and scratches at the glass when it wants something - usually food.

 

[angelpaws]

Thanks for your response. Im gonna try to bring up the heat alittle but ive been trying to be careful not to heat the tank up too much as well. SHe never actually goes to basking site but sits beneath it on a rock I placed there (to provide a radiant heat). HOw bad can those cheapo thermometers be right? I mean alittle off maybe but wouldnt she seek the heat source out?

As far as the glass is concerned, Ive found something call rock terrarium walls, made of a foam that may help prevent some glass scratching. Again, most reptiles arent as cognizant of the backgrounds - im impressed at how intelligent the beardie seems to be! :lol:

 

[omg87]

You dragon will tell you if it's too hot or too cold. If it's too cold, the skin will turn black trying to absorb more heat - also watch for stress marks. If it's too hot, it'll avoid its basking spot or start gaping or both. If it's just right it'll spend most of its day in the basking spot looking content as ever. I personally don't have those fancy thermometers people suggest in getting. I figure as long as you have a 75w-100w bulb over it, you should be good to go. Otherwise, your dragon will definitely let you know.

 

[angelpaws]

Ive not seen Zoey turning black at all (thank goodness), she mostly flattens her midsection like a pancake and soaks up the heat. I have seen her gape once but she didnt remove herself from the site. She quickly stopped and that was it. I will keep track of her behaviors and let you know how her scratching habit is when I get the rock background.

Thanks for everything! SO glad I found this site!

 

[angelpaws]

So I got the rock background which has greatly reduced the scratching!! I found out that my basking bulb is a 50w - probably why it wasnt reaching 100 degree temps, so a new bulb will be my next expense for her. In the meantime, I put a stick in the tank to bring her closer to the heat. What I find interesting is that she really moves around alot - never staying in the basking light for long. She seems to enjoy the mid area of the stick which begs to question the thermometer. MAybe its hotter than its saying? In either case, she is doing great and is undergoing her first shed.

Giving her, her first bath was an interesting project, she skittered about and took a wonderful poo! LOL. Heres a question tho. The water cools off very quickly - is that ok?

Thanks