Hi guys

We got a question about a Bearded Dragon that appears extremely healthy and almost TOO responsive. The thing that worries me is the black beard display goes up frequently for prolonged periods of time. I feel like this is a stress symptom because it is not even around other herps. What can we do to reduce stress? I would think covering up sides of the cage or offering hides would help. Any other ideas?

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Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
www.forgottenfriend.org
"Find out how YOU can get involved in reptile rescue . . .

How long have you had him and what is the set up like?

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I am posting for a friend so I will try to get more info about the setup from her. It is a Bearded Dragon that came thru the rescue and we placed it with a great teacher in a classroom setup. She has a big (75-100 gal?) setup with a hide, branch, and other great stuff. My first thoughts are that the new noises of a classroom have her stressed out a bit and she may need some time to adjust.

Also, this Bearded Dragon is supposed to be a female. But I've never seen a girl put up such a nice black beard like this:

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Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
www.forgottenfriend.org
"Find out how YOU can get involved in reptile rescue . . .

My Bearded Dragon, Zola, is very territorial and spends a lot of time defending his cage against imagined threats. EVERY morning when I get up his beard is black, when I open the cage to feed him his beard goes black, when I throw him in the tub he goes black.
The odd part being that if something happens that really freaks him ou he turns pale and hides, so I personally feel that he is in a better state of mind when he thinks he is defending his area than when he is hiding from the afore mentioned imaginary threats.

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Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

~*~Lacey~*~

My Photos

Our male, Fossy, is the same way. Ever since he matured he is on constant alert. He is constantly rampaging around the tank bobbing and displaying the black beard.
Right now he is black bearded and pacing the cage.
Our female is much more laid back!
Until you drop in the bugs!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!