Stress Marks

[jings55]

I've had my beardie for 3 months now and I don't know what stress marks are! Or where they are? Or what causes them...besides stress? :?

My beardie has little circular and oblong and lined designs on his belly-but they have always been there and don't go away. My breeder said this was normal and each beardie is different.

Sometimes I notice a crease or two on his side, like sunken skin. I just figure he is a little dehydrated and give him soaks for a few days.

Are either of these senarios stretch marks?

What does one do about stress marks?

Please enlighten me!

 

[Yaaeee]

From what I understand stress marks are the circular shaped or "leopard like spots" that run along the Bearded Dragon's belly. My baby beardie has them almost all the time (excluding time outside and in a warm bath). The can run down from the beard to the vent and sometimes tail i believe? :?:
This is a picture of stress marks:

But as you can see from this link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=134628
They don't always mean they are actually stressed.

 

[onomatotia]

My bearded dragon's stress marks are always faintly visible but get really dark any time she is stressed out, scared, or mad. Lately they've been really dark because she's been ill. They aren't harmful, they're just another way for your pet to clue you in on how he/she is feeling.

 

[jings55]

Oh! Thank you for sending me the link! That was very helpful! Those are exactly what Stryker has on his belly-all the time!

I am going to get a temp gun or digital probe for his tank as soon as I can afford to (next month?) I've read that the little round temperature gauges are not accurate. Maybe he needs more warmth. But he even has them after a warm bath.

I guess I'm worrying for nothing, although Stryker is 6 1/2 months old. (I know his birth/hatch day.)

 

[jings55]

I've never notices them darkening up and Stryker rarely shows me much of his "black" beard-but he does my grandkids, cause they P*ss him off! :evil: I'm very gentle and affectionate with him. And if his beard does start to turn, I just stroke his little beard and talk to him and it goes back to normal within seconds!