Today I was off from work and decided to spend the day in my PJs, chillin' with my lizards and was going to let Darwin out early so he could get some exercise while I did a few chores. I was in the process of taking Darwin out of his tank and setting up his basking spot, but was trying to do too much at once, taking the tank somewhat apart so that I could clean it while he was running about. Unfortunately, before I took Darwin out of the tank I accidentally let a light fixture slip and it crashed down into the tank, narrowly missing the little guy. I'm sure it would have broken bones had it hit him, so thank GOD it didn't. Darwin freaked out when the light came crashing down, which is totally understandable, and when I took him out of his tank to inspect him for wounds (still unsure at this point whether the light had actually hit him or not) he wriggled free and ran across the apartment faster than I've ever seen him go.
I caught up to him and picked him up and placed him on my chest, where he laid his head breathing fast and heavy for about half an hour. When I noticed his breathing had finally calmed down I started manipulating his arms, legs, fingers and toes looking for signs of pain or swelling. He didn't flinch at any point, which I took to be a good sign. I then figured it had been long enough that I could set him down on the floor and get back to cleaning his tank and whatever other housework I was going to do, but Darwin had different ideas. I picked him off my tshirt but he struggled and reached back out for me. I tried to put him down but he grabbed my tshirt and scurried up to my shoulder where he buried his face in my bedraggled hair and stayed there for another hour. My poor little baby was trauatized.
He's okay, now. It's been about three hours since the incident and he's back in his tank eating salad and chasing crickets. Thank goodness that was just a close call and nothing more... But it leads me to think I have to do something about how precarious that one fixture is when I'm trying to clean the tank.
**Note to self** Take the dragon out of the tank first, then play with the lights and everything else.
~J
*Edit* Ive had Darwin out since writing this post and although he seems normal: running around, chasing crickets, eating greens... He has a limp. He is favouring his left arm, but so far there is no swelling and when I move his arms his range of motion doesnt appear to be affected. Hes just climbed up his log into his hammock, so he climbing is not an issue for him. Ill just have to keep an eye on him and watch for swelling or anything else weird.
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