Basking

[Nichole1228]

My baby Hunter is about 4 mo. old and she is always on the basking side she even sleeps there! Is this normal?

 

[Zilladragon23]

Mine do too. The first time I saw Khaleesi fall asleep on her branch, I freaked out! LOL "There must be something wrong!!!" :-P But, I've come to realize that they have their own comfy spots they pick out, and just kinda hang out, whether it's while basking or sleeping. I also have been taking them out right before lights out and cuddling them in a t shirt or something. Then when they go back in, I leave them with the tshirt and they, more often than not, will stay cuddled up in it all night

 

[Nichole1228]

Ok good!! I like the T-shirt idea, I'll have to try that!!

 

[Mushuandcricket]

Just check your temperatures with a temperature gun. If they are good then I wouldn't worry.

 

[Nichole1228]

I think I'm going to try and get her basking spot a little warmer, but other than that the temps are good! What wattage should be over her basking spot?

I've noticed the past couple of days the humidity has been high I've even taken out her water bowl and it hasn't even changed! Any suggestions?

 

[jarich]

What is your basking temperature and how are you measuring it? How high is the humidity?

 

[Nichole1228]

I have a thermometer on the hot side, a thermometer /hydrometer in the middle and then another thermometer on the cool side. I also have a temp gun. I just checked with
the gun and it is at 103! The humidity is at 45

 

[jarich]

Ok, nothing wrong with that humidity at all. You want it somewhere between 35% and 65% rH. The temperature could go higher then, yes. Remember these are animals from the outback of Australia, so while its important to make sure you have a cooler area of around 80-85 F for them, its no problem having a surface temperature up to 125 F even. If your dragon is sitting all day in the basking area, its a pretty good sign that the basking area needs to be warmer. Normally, youll see them basking in the morning for a bit, then go about their day, then usually return after eating. However, if its staying there the whole time that means its just not getting the heat its looking for.

 

[Nichole1228]

Ok Ty! I thought the humidity wasn't suppose to any higher than 30? So what light do u recommend for her basking area?

 

[alalsip]

I love the t shirt idea! I might do that for my baby

 

[jarich]

Can you post a picture of your enclosure? What lights are you using right now?

 

[Nichole1228]

On her basking side it's a Zoo Media 60w/120v and then in the middle I have a uvb 13w and at night she has a 75w that's purple. I also have a red light in the same dome with her basking bulb, but I don't use it very much!

 

[jarich]

Ah, that makes more sense now. Dragons are semi arboreal and feel safest when they are off the ground. Im guessing yours likes being up high, and thats probably the reason it spends all its time up there.

On a side note though, that UV light you are using isnt doing much good at the moment. It only projects a limited amount about 6" away with no screen in the way. Since its going through screen, you are looking at only projecting UV light about 3-4" from the face of the light bulb. That means your dragon isnt getting anything from it really. I would recommend you grab a long fluorescent tube style light and put it right next to the basking bulb. ZooMed or Arcadia make good ones

 

[Nichole1228]

Ok Ty so much!!! We've been wanting to get a long one but all we can find is the bulbs no one sells the fixture for it to go in

 

[Nichole1228]

I put the uvb bulb in the same dome as her basking light so hopefully that will help until I can get the long fluorescent light!

 

[jarich]

That is better yes. Honestly it's almost always better to buy these lights online. Cheaper and a better selection! You can either go here
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/repti.../lighting-fixtures-hoods/ps/c/6016/6028/19109

Or here:
http://www.lightyourreptiles.com

 

[Nichole1228]

Ok awesome Ty for all ur help!!

 

[cody]

I got a fixture from Wal-Mart for like 8$ and a reptisun 10 at petsmart. Petco has them to. You should defintly try to get rid of the compact uvb lights. Another suggestion is to get rid of the night heat lights. any light can bother them at night

 

[alalsip]

Ok awesome Ty for all ur help!!

Are you only using the sticky temperature/humidity gauges? You should really look into getting a better thermometer if so. Those things can be inaccurate as heck! Look into the Accurite digital thermometer. They are cheap at walmart, and they work great! Just make sure you calibrate the hydrometer first!

 

[Nichole1228]

Are you only using the sticky temperature/humidity gauges? You should really look into getting a better thermometer if so. Those things can be inaccurate as heck! Look into the Accurite digital thermometer. They are cheap at walmart, and they work great! Just make sure you calibrate the hydrometer first!

Yea I just have one that sticks on the wall, I don't like it! I'll have to get a digital one!! Ty I was thinking it didn't seem right! The temp never seems to change and the humidity keeps climbing.