Appearance. A healthy dragon is not skinny. It should have plump fat pads, eyes that are not sunken in but full and out, no discoloration in the scales. The base of the tail should be full, and its hip bones should not be protruding and visible.
One of the most common and identifiable signs that something is wrong is when your pet isn't pooping normally. Generally speaking, a young bearded dragon should poop around 1 to 3 times a day while an adult dragon can be expected to poop anywhere from once a day to once every several days.
Yellow and orange colors typically indicate warmth, feeling relaxed and happy, while colors such as red or black can indicate a possible health issue. Pay attention to the social signals displayed in colors, and you'll be able to better care for your bearded dragon's well-being.
Their poop should stay brown and white provided they have minimal stress, the correct diet and a good setup. Red, Yellow and Black stools can indicate a serious health problem. If you are worried about your bearded dragon's poop then do not hesitate to contact a vet.
Bearded dragon poop is usually brown with white or yellow urates. Healthy bearded dragon poop would be brown and firm with white or yellow urates. The poop will also have a strong consistency and a log-like shape. The white part is the urate which is usually soft and does not smell.
Sick beardies may seem weak or grumpy, and they may hide and/or stop basking. Shaking, dizziness, head tilting, and loss of balance are also red flags.
Darker Coloration
A bearded dragon can sometimes appear to be a bit darker in color. This could be a typical sign of some stress, but it could also signify that it is getting ready to shed. Wait a few days and see if it is starting to shed.
Do bearded dragons prefer to be alone? Bearded dragons are territorial creatures, so prefer to be kept on their own in their enclosure. They enjoy having the warmth of their light and the whole food bowl to themselves. Essentially, they like not having to compete for resources.
Bearded dragons should spend at least 30 minutes outside of their terrarium a day. The more often they are out (without getting cold or away from their UVB bulbs too often) the more docile they can become.
Common health conditions of pet bearded dragons include CANV, atadenovirus, metabolic bone disease, parasites, infectious stomatitis ('mouth rot'), and respiratory infections. "If they are well looked after, including proper diet and husbandry, bearded dragons are reasonably hardy animals."
Abnormal and undesirable behaviors of bearded dragons include: Lethargy. Wobbly walking. Lack of movement.
Accordingly, it is important to avoid handling your bearded dragon (particularly if it is a young or small animal) around any of your other pets. This can also include other reptiles, who may also act aggressively or cause anxiety for your dragon.
Believe it or not, bearded dragons typically close their eyes when you pet or hold them because they're scared and want to get out of the situation. It's a coping mechanism and often acts as a warning to back off. If you don't, their behavior could progress to more aggressive actions.
Most young bearded dragons should eat once or twice daily, while older lizards may only eat every 24-72 hours, depending upon each pet's individual appetite.
How Long Can A Bearded Dragon Go Without Food? As desert dwelling reptiles, bearded dragons can go weeks without food, sometimes a few months. This allows them to survive in their native habitat when food sources are scarce.
If your dragon is acting lethargic and has foul-smelling runny poo, he may have parasites. Definitely contact your vet if you suspect this. Poor diet. If bearded dragons are not given a healthy, balanced diet, they may act lethargic.
As a general rule, bath time three times a week should be sufficient to keep your dragon clean and hydrated. If your dragon absolutely hates baths, then once a week may be a reasonable goal. If your dragon can't get enough bath time, you may want to do it more frequently, maybe even once a day.
Bearded dragons can carry Salmonella germs that can spread to you and make you sick. Always take steps to stay healthy around your bearded dragon. Bearded dragons can carry Salmonella germs in their droppings even if they look healthy and clean.