Strange Behavior, New Beardie (Juvenile)

[Kevinjareczek]

Hello all! I just got my new/first beardie on November 7th, and I'm not sure if his current behavior is normal (I might just be paranoid). He's about four months old, and is in a wooden 4x2x2 viv. His temperatures are perfect, and I have a 2 foot Reptisun 10.0 set up on the ceiling. He eats just fine, except for the fact that he has yet to touch his veggies since I got him (Collard Greens), and I do offer them to him every morning. I've also been doing the Calcium/Multivitamin supplements as directed. His lights are on a timer that turn on at 8AM every morning, and turn off at 8PM every night. What I find strange so far is that after the lights turn on in the morning, he will continue to sit in his log for a good 2.5-3 hours, and I've actually had to take him out of there once or twice because I was extremely worried about him. He doesn't freak out or anything like that when I take him out of his log, and he doesn't go back in. Are my lights on for too long during the day? Another thing I find strange is that when I got him, I wanted him because he was reacting to me and was running across the glass and whatnot. I know relocation stress can be strong, but now he won't run across the glass any more (but he does follow my movement with his eyes). He actually is pretty skittish when my hand is in the viv, and seems pretty scared of me. He hasn't puffed his beard out at me or anything like that, but he'll flatten out/run away. Am I just being paranoid? Should I give him more time? Thanks!

- Kevin

 

[Kevinjareczek]

Bump

 

[CooperDragon]

His behavior sounds pretty normal to me. It's common for them to want to sit still in the mornings and just bask and warm up. Your setup and light schedule sounds fine to me. If he's acting skittish around you, just continue to be calm around him. Move slowly, speak softly. If you do pick him up, just be sure to hold him with both hands and feet stable. They really don't like feeling off balance.