Beardie behavior - please help interpret

Everyone:

So, I have a new juvie beardie (Nurupa) in my classroom's reptile sanctuary. She recently developed the belly stress marks. I thought that it was directly related to husbandry issues (basking is 95%, cool is ambient temp around 80). Since she was a juvie, I increased feeding to twice a day (she loves THAT) with plenty of deep green veggies and squash. The UV is on a timer, its on 10 hours a day. She is in a zoomed tall roughly 18 X 12 X 12 enclosure.

BUT, my students and I noticed that her stress marks would IMMEDIATELY go away (within MINUTES) when she is picked up and held. She would stay quietly on top of someone's head, all day. When she returns to her enclosure, the stress marks are back. They are convinced that Nurupa just wants attention. But I think its still husbandry related.

Perhaps she needs a larger enclosure now??

Annie

A larger enclosure, like a 40 gallon, would be a good idea, as well as a hotter basking spot, around 105F. It's possible that she's not getting as warm as she'd like.

Insects 2 to 3 times a day should keep her happy and her belly full, as well as good leafy greens, like collard greens, turnip greens, and mustard greens.

Even with proper temps, I find that my beardies still have stress marks occasionally. Get her basking temps up and see how she does. I'm glad the kids like her :)

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The name "stress marks" is kinda miss leading. They don't necessarily mean that he/she is stressed or upset. Sometimes they get darker when they bask to soak up more heat, or they just are more showy then others lol. And everything that Eavlynn said is spot on. ;D