Bearded dragons are one of many best reptile pets to handle, and since they tolerate dealing with, they’re one of the vital gratifying reptiles to work together with. However being the pleasant lizard isn’t simply good for offering leisure, it additionally makes it simpler to know when your beardie isn’t wholesome. After all, many animals attempt to cover their sicknesses due to their intuition to not be, nicely, eaten by one thing sooner and stronger. So check out these 4 unhealthy behaviors to look at for in your bearded dragon. They’ll make it easier to catch a well being concern earlier than it will get worse.
Lazy lizard
Bearded dragons are usually lively creatures. If yours is especially torpid and doesn’t appear to be shifting a lot, it might not be in optimum well being. The excellent news is that if there aren’t any different signs, this could possibly be one thing minor, like a temperature concern.
Be sure your beardie has a basking space that’s stored between 95 and 110 levels Fahrenheit, in addition to a cooler space that’s 80 to 90 levels. Chilly lizards are usually much less lively as a result of they rely upon exterior heat for his or her physique warmth.
If it’s the change of seasons, then low exercise might imply your bearded dragon is about to enter brumation, or the reptile model of hibernation. It’s pretty frequent for bearded dragons to brumate.
Puffy tail or legs
A swollen tail or limbs is usually an indication of a break or fracture of the bones. It can be an indication of an infection. Every time swelling is current in your beardie, you have to take it to a vet with unique pet expertise to diagnose what’s inflicting the swelling. It could possibly be a sign of metabolic bone illness, a critical situation that’s handled with correct food regimen.
To stop metabolic bone illness from growing within the first place, you should definitely present acceptable UV lighting and dirt meals with a calcium complement.
Shaking
A bearded dragon that’s shaking or shifting in irregular, jerky motions is exhibiting one other signal of calcium or vitamin D deficiency. Not getting sufficient of those vitamins can result in metabolic bone illness. However for those who catch these signs early, you’ll be able to take steps to right the food regimen earlier than bone illness turns into superior.
Avoiding meals
Beardies normally have a reasonably good urge for food and will even take meals out of your hand. In the event that they’re not consuming, it’s an indication that one thing is up. Sadly, this can be a symptom that might imply many various issues.
Undergo the standard guidelines to be sure to’re offering the appropriate surroundings to your reptile and think about doable causes.
- Examine the habitat temperature
- Search for causes of stress
- Search for harm
- Examine for indicators of coming into brumation
Not all well being issues are critical points. It’s good to be vigilant, nevertheless, since your unique pet can’t actually handle its personal well being. If one thing doesn’t appear fairly proper together with your bearded dragon, keep watch over the signs and call an exotics vet if the issue appears critical. Chat with our herp consultants to study extra about caring for bearded dragons.