What are Stress marks??

[m00n1e]

Sorry yes I probably look dumb asking this but I am a noob starting to worry. He has always had a pattern on his stomach of dark lines, is that what that is?? Has he been stressed the whole time? I hope not my poor lil Rigs I think things are normal but I have seen pictures with a blank stomach, any help would be so greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[m00n1e]

Is this question too dumb? I keep reading but everything I can find are ways to make them go away I don't even know if thats what theses are!!!

 

[ashleyelsha]

I don't think it is a dumb question. I too am not sure exactly what a stressed bearded dragon looks like. I am assuming it is when they get darker in color? My bearded dragon goes really light colored when I feed him, but sometimes when I take him outside he gets very dark looking and his marks look different. I put him in a big sterilite tub sometimes so he can bask in the sunshine and stay safe, since i don't have a leash for him yet, and If I walk up to him he will puff out his beard and gape at me trying to look all macho I presume. His color is also darker during those times. I know the sunshine is good for him, I even tried putting a rock and branch in the sterilite tub with him but it still seems to stress him. And when I try to hold him in the sun, not only is it really HOT, but he gets skittish and wants to jump out of my hands or off of my leg, shoulder, etc. I've had to chase him in the grass a few times. I guess I really should get a leash...

 

[m00n1e]

Thanks! I was feeling ridiculous. and OMGosh I'm so sorry for that that's super scary i would be freaking out, I don't even trust going outside, thinking about it now I suppose I am faster at running but I could die if I lost Rigz!

 

[JCuratola]

Your Beardies belly should be white and he will be a brighter color when he is happy. Stress marks are circular like marks on the belly and beard.

 

[ashleyelsha]

Your Beardies belly should be white and he will be a brighter color when he is happy. Stress marks are circular like marks on the belly and beard.

That is mostly what I thought, lighter color equals happy, darker color equals stressed, defensive, angry, etc. I will look for marks on the belly next time.

 

[m00n1e]

My beardie always has dark circles on his stomach and beard! Am I not keeping him happy? I thought they were just a pattern! Oh I feel terrible! I will post a pic when he goes to sleep tonight he usually pushes his belly against the glass

 

[BeardieMommy3991]

Some also just get stress marks when they cool down at night. You aren't a bad owner at all, in fact, the fact you are worried about him says much about your good care!

I'm not quite sure what could be giving yours constant stress marks.

How old is he?
What are his lights? (Uvb and basking)'
Temps?
Eating and pooping habits?
Substrate?

If you have had him less than a week, it could possibly just be relocation stress. Also, I do believe some beardies have light belly marks/darker colorings than others. :dontknow:

 

[m00n1e]

Thank you so much for getting back to me!!
I dont know age because the pet store never said but he is a baby def about 8 inches
I recently learned about Zilla so last week I switched to the Zoo Med 10.0 that everyone talks about
and just a house hold 60 watt he has good temps tho 90-109 basking and 80+ on the cool side not like he even knows that side exists! lol
(the fact it sits ontop of the screen isn't a deal breaker is it? I haven't mounted the light inside because Im afraid of the bare bulb being that close to him. Should the light fixture have a plexi glass covering? It came with one but I thought UVB was filtered out through there)
He has always been a good eater tons of crix and he is good on his veggies I think he likes collard greens over crix haha
but today I kno i did stress him out because i switched from feeding in his viv to a sterilite and he didnt eat one! But that has nothing to do with him always having them obv js a side note! lol I don't know how to get him used to that.
He poops atleast once a day usually twice and everytime he gets a bath!
and carpet until I afford tile!
Thank you I know I asked a million questions but I am freaking out! Your so nice for taking the time to help!!
EDIT: I have had him 3 weeks now, and are you saying they could not be stress marks just his colors?

 

[BeardieMommy3991]

It's completely fine. I must spend at least 3 hours a day browsing this site- I'm obsessed with beardies!

While it might not be a cause of stress marks, the uvb bulb DOES need to be inside the mesh. It doesn't require a cover (filters out UVB as you said)- but so does mesh. You can use wire, command strips, or whatever it takes to secure the fixure in the tank. Just make sure your beardie can't get closer than 6-8 inches and he should be just fine.

If he is shedding, that could stress him out. Is there another animal in your house that could be prompting him?

I've heard of a few cases where they just have stress marks that don't go away- it sounds like besides them, you have a happy, healthy, growing beardie!

Pictures would be great though. We love em! :wink:

 

[m00n1e]

Haha good! You are totally the best! I have been addicted to the site sense i got him! And I will def post pics let me go take some and get them uploading!
Is there a way to post pics on my page here? I just post them individually on the threads is that how its done?
Well inside the mesh is too close to him, maybe three inches from his basking spot.
I am going to get him a bigger tank here soon, He is still in the smallest tank I would consider putting them in and only for a month more tops. I just need to buy it.
And I have a pitbull (pretty sure he is part dragon) they notice eachother at random times but rigs is ontop of the dresser too tall for the dog to see without putting his first two paws up and we don't let him, we are always with the dog if he is in that room too so.
And just to double check i should have that plexi glass covering off so it is bare bulb? I have been wondering

 

[BeardieMommy3991]

If you have a photo bucket account, you can just post the IMG code when you are writing your post, and a pic will show up.

A trick you can try until then- cut a long rectangular hole in the mesh top, so the bulb isn't getting blocked, but the fixture can still rest on it. And nope, no plexiglass cover. The bare bulb needs to show.

 

[jsnsan]

Love me a pit bull! Yes, I think they are part dragon too
Yes, please take that covering off of the tube. I'm not sure why they put those on there in the first place.....

 

[m00n1e]

Perfect thank you so much! And that is a great idea i will cut it out until I get a bigger cage! Thanks for that. And I have been posting pics that way let me take some new ones! For real going right now! Haha

 

[m00n1e]

Okay here is the close up

And an over all of the viv