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About Tracie Kretzschmar
Expertise
I can answer questions pertaining to health, UVB specifics, overall husbandry care & supplementation, analysis of blood test results, and behavioral problems & handling. I can answer questions pertaining to bearded dragons, leopard geckos, iguanas, uromastyx & ball pythons. I can answer adeno virus related questions in bearded dragons, & then specifically about the testing methods as well. I am beginning an Pogona Adeno Testing Society in 2008 which will help to begin to start some standardization within the bearded dragon colonies of the breeders who choose to test.

Experience
I have been working with bearded dragons for over 5 years now, as well as leopard geckos, too. I am currently doing rescues, as well. I hope to be able to educate people prior to them purchasing an exotic pet in order to avoid any health crisis with them.

Education/Credentials
I have a master's degree in sports medicine & physiology, & 1 year of vet tech schooling, & am currently working on a reptile certification through the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council.

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Veterinary Medicine > Reptiles > Strange Behavior from our Bearded Dragon

Reptiles - Strange Behavior from our Bearded Dragon

Expert: Tracie Kretzschmar - 11/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: Roxanne is about 3yrs old
For the last couple of weeks she has started to act a little aggressive, which is not her usually passive behavior. Basically she sits there with her solid black beard flared not appreciating any invasion of her territory. I'm wondering if she might be getting ready to lay some eggs

ANSWER: Hello Joshua,

This is a possibility that Roxanne could be needing to lay some eggs. Has she ever laid eggs before? Has she been mated?
It is beginning to be the time for brumation as well, so keep that in mind.
Let's go over your tank setup, as well.
Are you using a UVB source, & if so, what type & brand is it? A florescent tube bulb or a compact/coil light? How old is it? The brand should be stamped on the end or base of the bulb.
What type of basking light are you using, a bright white light or a colored light?
Do you supplement calcium for her? If so, how often? Even as an adult, she does need calcium 3 times per week.
Really, the only way to confirm positively if she is carrying eggs, is an x-ray. Though, if she is developing follicles, an ultrasound would be more helpful if they are not shelled.
If she is eggbound, that will be more complicated. I think if she appears to not be feeling well you should take her in for x-rays & a blood test to see what her calcium levels are. Maybe you should get a fecal exam, too.
Let me know how she is doing, & the information about your setup too.
Thanks.

Tracie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: 4'x2'x2'
substrate:Reptisand
Mega-Ray® SB 100-watt narrow-flood all-in-one is a 100-watt SB Par-38 True Frosted Flood Lamp
Feeding
Daily
Greens: Collard greens, parsnip, snow peas, mango, Casctus leaf.
Crickets: 5-6 large dusted with calcium powder without d-3
Weekly: Mulivitiam powder in place of calcium
Climate:Sun side 103F/cool side 77-80f
Bremulation:the last two years from about april-sept
She appears to be feeling fine shes just become a little awnry the past few weeks and has started to display her black beard alot. Im really starting to wonder if she is a he. The behavior ive seen males display on youtube is very similar to hers.
When we got her from the breeder we were told it was a male, then the vet told us it was a she, now im starting to wonder

she is doing great im just curious.

Answer
Hello Joshua,

EXCELLENT to hear that you are using a Megaray 100watt SB! That is all that we ever use. Is it less than 1 year old then? I replace ours every 12-16 months, or so.

Hm, can you post a picture of the ventral (belly) area, placed towards the camera, for me to see? I can tell you right away if Roxanne is male or female. Or, if you want to look to see if there are enlarged femoral pores all lined up on the inner thigh area, that is fine. If there are enlarged pores then you have a male! If there are none or they are greatly reduced or hardly visible then you have a female.
The feeding sounds appropriate for the age as well as the greens & veggies with the fruit. the calcium can be given 3 times a week, unless of course we figure out if he or she is a female & getting ready to lay then she will need extra calcium. Weekly vitamins are fine, too.
Are you using a digital probe or temp gun to measure the temperatures then?
Does Roxanne have a tendency to lick the substrate? Impaction is always a concern, but not as much with adults. The calcium based sand clumps up like cement making it difficult to pass.

What did the vet base the sex of your dragon on, x-rays or just physical exam or looking her over?

I am so happy to see that you have a great setup & have done your homework on husbandry. Just send a picture & I can help you determine the sex. Usually, females get black beards but not nearly as black as the males.

Tracie

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