Stress marks Day 2

[VioletEclair]

Hello hello!

So yesterday I got my first beardie, we named him Bucky. He’s doing ok so far, I know that he slept well last night because his color was back to normal when I initially turned his light on this morning. However, as soon as he realized where he was his color turned super dark and the stress marks are in full force! I know the first couple of days are going to be stressful for him, but I wanted to ask if there is anything I could be doing to make him more comfortable? He glass surfs and stares at himself a lot too..he didn’t want anything to do with his crickets last night but his Phoenix and horn worms are coming in the mail today so I’m hoping those will entice him.

^^his normal color

^^This is the color that’s happening with stress

 

[KarrieRee]

If he can see himself and its stressing him out put up some sort of background on the back of the tank -- could be a old blanket or back ground from the store for a tank --- maybe a picture printed off - anything that will block him from seeing himself-- try that and see if that helps
Karrie

 

[VioletEclair]

If he can see himself and its stressing him out put up some sort of background on the back of the tank -- could be a old blanket or back ground from the store for a tank --- maybe a picture printed off - anything that will block him from seeing himself-- try that and see if that helps
Karrie

Ok! I just taped some printer paper on the sides, so far that’s the only place he’s been staring/glass surfing, I think the white wall behind his tank helps with not seeing his reflection on the back. I’ll order a background soon though just in case! Anything else I could do to help his dark skin and stress marks to go away?

 

[KarrieRee]

How big is his tank? If he's glass surfing that means he wants out
Karrie

 

[VioletEclair]

How big is his tank? If he's glass surfing that means he wants out
Karrie

It’s a 40 gallon breeder tank, he’s just a little guy, 6inches. I plan to upgrade when he gets bigger. He just ate 6 Phoenix worms and a hornworm. Now he’s just chilling on his basking log. Not sure if he’s nibbled at any greens yet. He’s been closing his eyes while he basks. I think he might also be shedding right now because he rubbed his head on one of the rocks a couple of times and his legs are lighter in color

 

[Aaradimian]

Relocation stress is a good candidate, esp. if Bucky was also transported to you. I've read on this forum that it takes them a few weeks to adapt to a new environment even if it's an upgraded viv in the same house. I'd give it a little while before considering it a problem.

 

[KarrieRee]

What kind of UVB do you have? Its on top of tank-- it should be inside tank- the screen filters out a lot of the rays- staple feeders should be crickets or dubia roaches dusted w/ calcium d3 5 x per week and vitamins 2 x / week- basking temp should be 90- 105 and taken w/ a infrared heat gun purchased from Wal-Mart or home depot- the phoenix worms and horn worms should be fed as treat- he probably won't eat a lot of greens cuz he's a baby- his main diet should be bugs for the protein- the UVB is crucial- prevents mbd and overall health please ask more questions if you have them
Karrie

 

[VioletEclair]

What kind of UVB do you have? Its on top of tank-- it should be inside tank- the screen filters out a lot of the rays- staple feeders should be crickets or dubia roaches dusted w/ calcium d3 5 x per week and vitamins 2 x / week- basking temp should be 90- 105 and taken w/ a infrared heat gun purchased from Wal-Mart or home depot- the phoenix worms and horn worms should be fed as treat- he probably won't eat a lot of greens cuz he's a baby- his main diet should be bugs for the protein- the UVB is crucial- prevents mbd and overall health please ask more questions if you have them
Karrie

I have the UVB inside the tank, you had answered my question from a previous post and told me it looked fine..I’m thinking about lowering it further in the tank but want to make sure it’s secure and won’t fall. I have the infrared heat gun and the temperatures are good. My husband refuses to let me have crickets in the house and is iffy about roaches. I had researched a lot on this page and most people say Black fly larvae (phoenix worms) are fine to use as a staple. The horned worms I did get him as a treat. Thank you very much! I appreciate it

 

[VioletEclair]

Relocation stress is a good candidate, esp. if Bucky was also transported to you. I've read on this forum that it takes them a few weeks to adapt to a new environment even if it's an upgraded viv in the same house. I'd give it a little while before considering it a problem.

Thank you! That makes me feel better! He was shipped to me so I imagine he’s still recovering from that as well

 

[KarrieRee]

Okay sorry-- yes the BF larvae r good- the UVB can be 10-11" from him- I was corrected from the 6" I was saying-- you can get a soft tooth brush and brush in a warm bath to get loose skin off
Karrie

 

[VioletEclair]

Okay sorry-- yes the BF larvae r good- the UVB can be 10-11" from him- I was corrected from the 6" I was saying-- you can get a soft tooth brush and brush in a warm bath to get loose skin off
Karrie

It’s no problem! I appreciate the feedback! I just want him to be comfortable. I lightly sprayed him today, enough that he wouldn’t freak out. I don’t think I should give him a bath or anything at least until tomorrow evening since today is my second day of having him. I haven’t touched him since he arrived.