Stressed Bearded Dragon

[menzy]

So I got Titan (my dragon) exactly one week ago (Saturday, March 30th). Two days later on Monday, he began to get a darker color, including stress marks on his stomach. He was much lighter in color everywhere when I first got em. His basking temp is around 95-108 and he goes to whichever area he wants there. His warm side is around 89-92, the middle sits around 88 or so, and it slowly goes to around 77 on the coolest side. His nighttime temp ranges from 72-80 and his humidity is always between 20-40%. He poops normally, around 1-2 times a day and he eats normally and is active as soon as his food is put in. I just started feeding him Dubia roaches. Prior to this, it was around 30 crickets a day and some dandelion with water on it. Roaches are the same deal. I give him calcium with one meal every day and vitamin with one meal 5 days a week. None of the food he eats is too big and his urate has only shown signs of very minor dehydration 3 times or so. He's active in the tank as far as going where he wants to whenever he wants (40-gallon tank, he's about 6.5 inches). I've handeled him for about 10 minutes 3 times now. He's never aggressive or skittish but he's not easily willing either, so his behavior there and everywhere else is very normal. When I let him out, he explores a little bit and pokes me and other stuff with his tongue. I've misted him probably 10 times or so (3 times in a day when his tail was shedding and right now he's been rubbing his head against his log a couple times, so I assume that's beginning to shed) and I've bathed him in warm water twice. I believe his stress is just from all the change considering the fact that he's probably about 2-3 months old based on PetCo's track record and his size. His behavior is extremely normal in all other areas. He doesn't seem overfed or underfed, he gets adequate heating (UVB as well; and to give an idea, the lamps I use are from the ReptiHabitat 40 gallon bearded dragon starter kit), and he doesn't seem dehydrated. When I figure out how to attach images, I'll add one of him in the store and one from him today. Exactly one week apart. Thank you to anyone who can help me here and just let me know if you need anymore information! I know this is quite excessive considering it's only stress marks, but I just want to make sure Titan is comfortable.

 

[menzy]

Stress Marks, Day I got him, and how he looks right now

 

[Claudiusx]

Hi there,

My first inclination is relocation stress. It can take them a couple weeks sometimes to get over it.

That being said there are a few red flags that stick out to me.

Firstly, your basking temp of 95-108. Why is there such a large range in that number? What are you using to measure your temps?
Secondly, While i'm not familiar with that specific kit, i'd be willing to bet the UVB bulb that came with it is one of those compact coil bulbs, correct? If thats the case you should switch it out with the reptisun 10.0 HO tube, (reptisun 10.0 regular tube will be ok too) or the arcadia 12% tube. You will need to buy a new fixture to house one of these bulbs, but trust me, UVB is not where you want to skimp.
Lastly, how are you keeping your night time temps up into the 80s? Are you using a bulb at night or is that just how hot your house is?

He is eating very well for a dragon going through relocation stress, so i'd imagine that the stress is from improper lighting, and potentially improper temperatures.

-Brandon

 

[menzy]

Hi there,

My first inclination is relocation stress. It can take them a couple weeks sometimes to get over it.

That being said there are a few red flags that stick out to me.

Firstly, your basking temp of 95-108. Why is there such a large range in that number? What are you using to measure your temps?
Secondly, While i'm not familiar with that specific kit, i'd be willing to bet the UVB bulb that came with it is one of those compact coil bulbs, correct? If thats the case you should switch it out with the reptisun 10.0 HO tube, (reptisun 10.0 regular tube will be ok too) or the arcadia 12% tube. You will need to buy a new fixture to house one of these bulbs, but trust me, UVB is not where you want to skimp.
Lastly, how are you keeping your night time temps up into the 80s? Are you using a bulb at night or is that just how hot your house is?

He is eating very well for a dragon going through relocation stress, so i'd imagine that the stress is from improper lighting, and potentially improper temperatures.

-Brandon

It is a compact coil one. In regards to basking, he has a log for it. I meant that depending where he is on the log, there's a different temp. The zone he likes to go to right after eating is around 105 degrees and the areas around it are high 90s. So the ZooMed ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO 24 Watts would be the best thing to get for him UVB wise? Also his night temp is usually 71.5-74 because that's the temp in the house. Sometimes when I get up I'll turn the heater in my room on and his temp will get up to around 80 after a couple of hours with that. I have a temperature gauge in both ends of the tank and a thermometer gun.

 

[Claudiusx]

Yes that uvb would be best. Note you'll need to get a t5 fixture to house it too.
Ok good that you have the IR gun. I wouldn't rely on the stick on thermometers at all. They can be wildly inaccurate.

And I only asked about night time temps to make sure you weren't using a colored bulb or something to add heat, so that's good

I think it's still a combination of relocation stress and possibly the UVB bulb. It definitely will only benefit your dragon to switch so I would for sure.

Besides that everything sounds good, you might just have to give it some time.

-Brandon

 

[menzy]

Alright, I ordered the UVB T5 and the fixture yesterday so they should be here tomorrow. Thank you for your help!