Why is my lizard head-banging, digging, and suddenly aggressive?

Thanks for reaching out about Zoro and including a photo. Aggression with younger animals can be due to breeding season and hormones, trauma or stress. Continue to work with and be slow/gentle. Offer treats via hand to win trust. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Lizzie. Brumation is triggered by a drop in temperature in the environment and shortening day length. If you have a heating element on your system, the temperature should not be dropping. Being quiet and secretive for two days is concerning, as they usually remain active up to the time they lay, not for several days prior. If she is egg bound, a veterinary visit is recommended. Calcium injections and a drug to induce egg laying (oxytocin) can be given to stimulate egg production. She could be sick for other reasons with kidney disease being common in aging bearded dragons. If she is still eating, you have a little time. If not, she needs to visit a veterinarian. Good luck.

Check the temperature in her enclosure. Ideal would be about 76 F (24C) on the cool side to about 86 F (30C) n the warm side. Her basking spot should range between 90 and 100 F (32-37.7 C). Young beardies should not be kept on sand as it can pose a risk of impaction or obstruction if they inadvertently ingest enough during feeding. Use reptile carpet, slate or paper towels until she is older or feed her outside of the enclosure. If the behavior persists, have her examined by your veterinarian or an experienced herp vet to diagnose infection or injury.

Stress or illness are likely responsible. Placing dark colored paper around the lower 10-12 inches of the glass might decrease stress. If this doesn't seem to help, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.

The change in environment may have caused her some stress resulting in a bit of flightiness or aggression. Gradually re-acclimate her to you again. Start slow and easy by simply sitting near her enclosure. Progress to placing your hand in the enclosure for ever increasing periods of time, then to enticing her with a treat. Eventually, you should be able to handle her again. Check environmental parameters to ensure adequate heat and lighting. Maintain a clean cage and proper diet. She maybe approaching a shed which could make her grouchy. The period between 6 and 8 months for most dragons can also be a "grouchy" time....think teenager attitude and behavior. Be patient though, it will pass and she should settle down again.

Thanks for reaching out about Thor. Either are possible, and a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Is he still eating, drinking, defecating and urinating? Dragging the ventral abdomen could be discomfort from a urinary tract infection/obstruction (possible calculi), constipation or other problem. Good luck.

It is best to keep them away from direct sunlight since it can cause tank temperature to rise quickly and to dangerous levels. It is also best to keep them away from drafts. He is likely head bobbing at his reflection as a challenge to the "strange" lizard he sees. You can use a tank surround to cut down on reflections. Captive beardies can be bred year round, however in the wild they typically breed in the spring.