Relocation Stress Questions
Hello everyone
I just received my male rainbow tiger BD yesterday. He's beautiful and arrived in good health, but he's dealing with a lot of relocation stress. I put in the order at Animal Plastics for his permanent viv prior to receiving him, but it will take about two months before I get it. For now, I have him in a modified plastic storage tub. The dragon himself measures about 12.5 inches, and his temporary tub has the following dimensions:
32.13"L x 19.13"W x 13.75"H
Basking temp showed 105 today. Cool side of the cage showed 85 F. In his temp cage are stones under the incandescent light, a food dish and a box to hide in. Substrate is newspaper with a layer of paper towels over it. I drilled 6 holes along both of the longest sides of the tub, and the middle of the plastic lid has been cut out to fit mesh panels. His temp cage is as bare as it is for now so that I can be sure that he is basking/eating.
He puffs his beard at me every time I go near his viv. He gaped at me this morning, but never tried to bite. He runs when I put my hand near him. I have also noticed him going into his hiding box and scratching at the bottom of it several times today (not sure what to think of this behavior). This sort of thing is to be expected, I know. He has only been here for a day and a half, now. I just want to keep him as comfortable and happy as I can. Maybe I should modify the basking temp?
In your own personal experience, how long did your BD's relocation stress last/ any tips on how to work through it?
Thanks lots
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