If your beardie won’t move, you’ve likely had several questions. First, what is wrong with your beardie? There are a variety of possible causes for this problem, but most often, the culprit is impaction, caused by food, loose substrate, or objects. Impaction often leads to paralysis in the front or back legs. Here are some of the most common causes of impaction in bearded dragons.
If your beardie doesn’t move, you may be unsure of what’s wrong. A darkened beard and tail are signs of discomfort. Make an appointment with your vet to have a professional look your dragon over. If it is unable to move, it may be dead, though its nervous system is still active. Despite the appearance of a problem, it is likely that your beardie is simply inactive.
While some of these causes may seem trivial, a beardie may be displaying a particular behavior in response to heightened stress. In some cases, improper handling triggers the animal’s defense mechanism. A common mistake is not supporting the entire body of the beardie, which can cause the beardie to become terrified of handling and may eventually run away. If your beardie is displaying this behavior, be sure to observe how it behaves when it encounters other pets.
If your beardie hasn’t moved in a while, you should consider the following: Changing its environment. Inexperienced bearded dragon owners usually start with an infection. This will cause your beardie to lose its appetite and may even have parasites. Infections are another common cause of slow movement. A beardie’s habitat needs to be dry and quiet. The right temperature and humidity will help the digestive process and will also reduce the amount of stress the beardie will experience.
Lethargic beardie: A beardie might appear lazy when it does not move much. If it has lost its appetite, it may be lethargy, a sign of an illness or habitation problem. Moreover, prolonged laziness is an indication that your beardie dragon is sick. It is important to check for any underlying health problems and make necessary adjustments to the lifestyle and diet. But if the behavior is prolonged or severe, it is time to contact a veterinarian.
If your beardie is exhibiting symptoms of respiratory infection, it’s time to seek medical attention. In such a case, you’ll probably be given antibiotics. Do not attempt to treat the infection yourself or try a homemade remedy. Otherwise, it could lead to permanent paralysis and a decreased appetite. You can try a few home remedies to relieve the symptoms, but these are best left to a professional.
Impurity is a common problem among bearded dragons. This condition occurs when the stomach empties into its intestines, which puts pressure on the spine. Reptiles do not have discs between the vertebrae, so this pressure on the spine may lead to a number of serious issues, including impaction. Lower impaction will be apparent as a slight raised area on the mid to lower back, and it can also be felt in the abdomen.
Why is my bearded dragon hiding and not basking?
If the light is too powerful, it might make your bearded dragon hide a lot. You can test this by turning off the UVB light for 1-3 days to see if your dragon stops hiding. This is especially true is the UVB light is a tube that runs the enclosure, or is right beside the basking light.
Why does my bearded dragon rarely move?
Another possible reason why your bearded dragon is not moving its front or back legs is because of impaction. Your bearded dragon might become impacted with food (feeder insects or salad pieces that are too large), substrate (loose substrate such as sand, pebbles, coco fiber, shells) and other small objects.
Why is my bearded dragon hiding and not coming out?
A bearded dragon may be hiding to cool down, feel more secure, to escape other bearded dragons in the reptile enclosure, or they’re feeling sick. Determining which reason is causing your dragon to hide is the difference between a happy pet and a trip to the vet.
How do I keep my bearded dragon entertained?
Playing with bearded dragons is fun and a great way to stimulate them and build a bond. Play activities can include going for a walk, taking a swim, handling, playing ball, using a laser pointer, hunting, or exploring.
What do you do when your bearded dragon won’t move?
If you witness your bearded dragon not moving much, chances are their cage is a little too cool. It is imperative that you provide the proper temperature gradient within their vivarium to keep them happy and healthy.
Why is my bearded dragon not active?
Bearded Dragon Acts Lazy Due to Lack of Proper Heat A bearded dragon acts lazy or lethargic if the temperatures are not adequate enough. Low temperatures can cause a loss of appetite and activity levels can drop.
Why is my bearded dragon avoiding basking spot?
Incorrect basking temperatures are one of the most common reasons beardies stop basking. What is this? While your lizard needs a hot temperature in their basking spot, if it’s too hot, they’ll avoid positioning themselves directly underneath the heat lamp and opt for cool zone temperatures instead.
How do I get my bearded dragon to explore?
The best way to let your bearded dragon outside of its cage is by delimiting the space in which your beardie can move around freely. Instead of letting it explore the whole house, choose a room where you can control the surroundings more easily and avoid stressful situations for your pet.
Why is my bearded dragon not moving around?
First and perhaps the least serious of issues could be due to inadequate tank temperatures. When bearded dragons don’t get enough heat, their metabolisms can slow down and lead to them having little energy or appetite. If you witness your bearded dragon not moving much, chances are their cage is a little too cool.
How do I get my bearded dragon out of hiding?
However, if your bearded dragon is hiding most of the day, take it out to feed and place it in a basking spot. Don’t do this if your bearded dragon is brumating, though. During brumation, your dragon doesn’t need to eat much if at all. Take it out once-twice a week and give it a bath.
Why is my bearded dragon hiding and not moving?
A bearded dragon may be hiding to cool down, feel more secure, to escape other bearded dragons in the reptile enclosure, or they’re feeling sick. Determining which reason is causing your dragon to hide is the difference between a happy pet and a trip to the vet.
How do I get my bearded dragon to move?
As soon as you suspect the impaction, give your bearded dragon a warm bath and massage its belly, moving your finger towards the vent area. Many bearded dragons get relaxed in a warm bath, and poop. If your dragon can pass whatever was stuck, you might prevent impaction.
What do bearded dragons do all day?
Unlike lizards who are active at night, bearded dragons are awake during the day. They often like to climb branches and sit on logs to bask in the sun. As a result, they make great pets for people who want to interact with their pets during waking hours.
Why is my bearded dragon suddenly hiding?
A bearded dragon may be hiding to cool down, feel more secure, to escape other bearded dragons in the reptile enclosure, or they’re feeling sick. Determining which reason is causing your dragon to hide is the difference between a happy pet and a trip to the vet.
Why is my beardie not active?
A bearded dragon acts lazy or lethargic if the temperatures are not adequate enough. Low temperatures can cause a loss of appetite and activity levels can drop. Make sure to use high quality thermometers at each end of the terrarium (one in the basking area and one in the cooler area) so you can monitor temperatures.
