My baby Draco has an outdoor cage which I understand is normally best for their UV health and it's plenty large for one baby even his size(something like 6X8). He was a rescue. I'm kinda half suspicious he was a house lizard for most of his life, he truly seems to prefer being in the house around the people than alone in the cage. I read in here they do play but I've got no clue what kind of toys he may like and he hasn't shown any preferences for anything except sleeping in high places next to windows when he's in the house (he likes to sleep on the back of my mother's 1800 era high back antique chair or on the back of the sofa next to a window). He eats like a iggy piggy since I got him, eating every day lately it seems like. His last daddy had him on dry/canned/commercial food and I don't think he liked it much (would you?) I've got him on turnip greens, mustard greens, green beans, snow peas, squash, and a smattering of fruit occassionally throughout the week plus a bit of zucchini and other stuff on the good list, sometimes he gets hibiscus too, his color is good and he seems happy enough (except when I'm having that time of the month then he opens his mouth and threatens me when I pet him or pick him up...well I knew that was coming someone said women smell like a predator during that time of the month). I'm a little worried about him lately because even though the sun is shinging and bright (but he has shade) I come home and he's in his hidey cave (I took the bottom half of an old dog carrier and turned it upside down for him, I have a warm mat for him to lay on in there and his food is close by too). I tried to get him to come out this morning but he wasn't gonna budge. I don't like forcing him to come out but I don't want him missing out on his sun bath either. Does it mean anything bad when they hide alot? Or is he just displaying his displeasure that he's not in the house with me?

Can you tell us a little more about his enclosure? Is it screen, wire or glass? What's the temperature/humidity level of the area you live in?

How long have you had him?

It sounds to me like he's very stressed out. If he's been kept indoors most of his life, he's going to feel threatened and scared at the unfamiliar noises, smells and sights of outdoor living. In time, when he realizes he's safe, he may adjust to his new surroundings well, and certainly sunlight is best for him. However, he may never fully adjust to being outside, so be prepared to bring his whole set up inside if he continues to act scared.

Also if you just got him, this goes doubly. Not only may he be stressed out by being outside, but he doesn't know you or trust you not to eat him. Again time helps to cure this.

Other than that, if you feel he might be getting sick, a vet visit is never a bad idea.

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"Let's eat, Grandpa!"
"Let's eat Grandpa!"

Punctuation. It saves lives.

what typh said. Good luck.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

Like Tiffany said, you need to work on his trust issues, and if he was housed indoors, outdoors is very terrifying and noisy. We rescued Freya who had been thrown out by her previous owner after she had lived indoors all her life in a cage. She immediately started bonding, but we are considered as being very reptile friendly. We were friendly, warm, and took her to the vet who gave her some medicine and food right away. She had never had good food in her life, so was extremely impressed with fresh collards, mustard, turnip, veggies, and fruits. She would look like she was in heaven when she ate a blueberry, or some pineapple or strawberry. Work on the trust issues some, and reducing the stressors.

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Kat