Bearded Behavior

[GlobularDuck]

I have a 20 month old bearded and I just don't understand his behavior so I'm not sure what he wants. He's in a 75 gallon tank. Every day from about 8 am until 2 pm he is running around his tank, beard darkened and bumping his face against the glass. He's climbing up his wall and knocking food all over the enclosure. He's not doing any head bobbing or anything, so I thought maybe he's bored. I take him out to run around free and his demeanor doesn't change really, he's just all over the place or trying to climb a wall. I had him on my chest while I was watching tv and after 5 min he crawled up my shoulder and off the back of the couch. Then in the afternoon he calms down and just hangs out. I'm not sure what he wants or if this is normal behavior so I figured I'd ask more knowledgeable people

 

[Sadie]

I have a 20 month old bearded and I just don't understand his behavior so I'm not sure what he wants. He's in a 75 gallon tank. Every day from about 8 am until 2 pm he is running around his tank, beard darkened and bumping his face against the glass. He's climbing up his wall and knocking food all over the enclosure. He's not doing any head bobbing or anything, so I thought maybe he's bored. I take him out to run around free and his demeanor doesn't change really, he's just all over the place or trying to climb a wall. I had him on my chest while I was watching tv and after 5 min he crawled up my shoulder and off the back of the couch. Then in the afternoon he calms down and just hangs out. I'm not sure what he wants or if this is normal behavior so I figured I'd ask more knowledgeable people

Could be hormones -- what are you using for a UVB coil or tube in the tank and where is it? Top of screen or in the tank? Basking temps what are they and how are you taking them? NO stick ons they are inaccurate-- I am asking to get the lighting issued ruled out

 

[GlobularDuck]

Could be hormones -- what are you using for a UVB coil or tube in the tank and where is it? Top of screen or in the tank? Basking temps what are they and how are you taking them? NO stick ons they are inaccurate-- I am asking to get the lighting issued ruled out

I have a dial thermometer in there, the temp at the top of his rock under the basking lamp is about 110 F, the other side of his tank where I put his food and water is at about 80 F. I use the ZooMed bulbs in a lamp on top, 100W basking lamp and the UVB bulb looks like a florescent bulb.

 

[Sadie]

I have a dial thermometer in there, the temp at the top of his rock under the basking lamp is about 110 F, the other side of his tank where I put his food and water is at about 80 F. I use the ZooMed bulbs in a lamp on top, 100W basking lamp and the UVB bulb looks like a florescent bulb.

Ok so is it in a long fixture? Not a dome?

 

[GlobularDuck]

Ok so is it in a long fixture? Not a dome?

No, sorry. It's a double dome type

 

[GlobularDuck]

And yeah, I need to get some more stuff in there, I took out a plastic plant I had in there because I caught him trying to eat it.

 

[Sadie]

And yeah, I need to get some more stuff in there, I took out a plastic plant I had in there because I caught him trying to eat it.

Ok so the UVB is a coil? Is it the 13 watt or the 26 watt and what is the brand? Reptisun or Thrive ? Ok I am thinking this is your issue --- I am going to post some info on UVB's for you
Which UVB light should I use?

The best UVB light is a ReptiSun 10.0 fluorescent tube HO (Or Arcardia 12% in the UK). Compact or coil bulbs do not emit the proper amount of UVB light for a bearded dragon, and should not be used. Other brands, such as the Zilla Desert Series and ReptiGlo have been known to cause eye problems and other health issues with bearded dragons, and should be avoided. The reason that some UVB lights (Zilla, ReptiGlo, coils/compacts, ect.) are considered dangerous is because the wavelength of UVB that they emit is shorter and more intense than the wavelength of the "safe" lights (ReptiSun, Arcadia). UVB lights should be replaced every 6 months. The T5’s are a strong bulb and only need to be replaced once a year – the T 8 every 6 months--- where as the T 8 are not as strong—they need to be placed inside the tank the T 5 10.0 bulb approx 12-15 inches from basking spot – the T 8 approx 6-8 inches from basking spot—the cover needs to be off the bulb for full effect of the UVB rays--
Here is some info on the 26 watt if that is what you have -- brand is extremely important that is why I have asked
The 26w version of the UVB150 is similar in output to a T8 tube when using a reflector. The beam isn't as wide (depending on the length of the tube) but the output strength is very similar. If it was sitting about 6-8'' above the main basking area then it was likely providing adequate UVB. It's the lower wattage (13w) versions that cause concern since they aren't strong enough to provide adequate UVB at a safe distance. Coils do not produce the UVB you need -- and in bigger tanks like the size you have its even worse
So I am going to post what is recommended for UVB
https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-terrarium-hood.html a 24" fixture for your tank how long is your 75 gallon ? If its real long say 5ft you can get a 30" fixture - you do not want it the same length of the tank - he needs to be able to escape those rays
this bulb is very good https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/arcadia-12-uvb-t5-reptile-bulb.html a 22" bulb
Reptisun are good as well but they are out of stock so the Arcadia is just as good --

 

[Sadie]

https://www.petmountain.com/product/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-100-uvb-high-output-bulbs 22"
ok so pangea has the fixture and no bulbs and pet mountain has the bulb and no fixtures go figure

 

[Sadie]

So you can go here and get the bulbs and fixture I think they are out of CA

Wholesale Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO Fluorescent Bulb

Buy Wholesale Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO Fluorescent Bulb For Sale in Bulk!

www.reptilesupplyco.com

https://www.reptilesupplyco.com/who...84-reptisun-terrarium-hood-t5-24-zoo-med.html 24"
or the 30" depending on how long your tank is

Wholesale Zoo Med ReptiSun Terrarium Hood T5

Buy Wholesale Zoo Med ReptiSun Terrarium Hood T5 For Sale in Bulk!

www.reptilesupplyco.com

I would call this place and see how long before they are shipping out -- some places are really slow now - pangea is real fast but no stock -- here is there phone # : 916-226-4089

 

[GlobularDuck]

Ok so the UVB is a coil? Is it the 13 watt or the 26 watt and what is the brand? Reptisun or Thrive ? Ok I am thinking this is your issue --- I am going to post some info on UVB's for you
Which UVB light should I use?

The best UVB light is a ReptiSun 10.0 fluorescent tube HO (Or Arcardia 12% in the UK). Compact or coil bulbs do not emit the proper amount of UVB light for a bearded dragon, and should not be used. Other brands, such as the Zilla Desert Series and ReptiGlo have been known to cause eye problems and other health issues with bearded dragons, and should be avoided. The reason that some UVB lights (Zilla, ReptiGlo, coils/compacts, ect.) are considered dangerous is because the wavelength of UVB that they emit is shorter and more intense than the wavelength of the "safe" lights (ReptiSun, Arcadia). UVB lights should be replaced every 6 months. The T5’s are a strong bulb and only need to be replaced once a year – the T 8 every 6 months--- where as the T 8 are not as strong—they need to be placed inside the tank the T 5 10.0 bulb approx 12-15 inches from basking spot – the T 8 approx 6-8 inches from basking spot—the cover needs to be off the bulb for full effect of the UVB rays--
Here is some info on the 26 watt if that is what you have -- brand is extremely important that is why I have asked
The 26w version of the UVB150 is similar in output to a T8 tube when using a reflector. The beam isn't as wide (depending on the length of the tube) but the output strength is very similar. If it was sitting about 6-8'' above the main basking area then it was likely providing adequate UVB. It's the lower wattage (13w) versions that cause concern since they aren't strong enough to provide adequate UVB at a safe distance. Coils do not produce the UVB you need -- and in bigger tanks like the size you have its even worse
So I am going to post what is recommended for UVB
https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-terrarium-hood.html a 24" fixture for your tank how long is your 75 gallon ? If its real long say 5ft you can get a 30" fixture - you do not want it the same length of the tank - he needs to be able to escape those rays
this bulb is very good https://www.pangeareptile.com/store/arcadia-12-uvb-t5-reptile-bulb.html a 22" bulb
Reptisun are good as well but they are out of stock so the Arcadia is just as good --

I took the bulb out to verifiy what I had. It is a Reptisun 10.0 fluorescent tube 13W. I had been replacing it yearly because that's what it said on the bulb but if I'm reading this right, I should replace every 6 months and maybe use a higher wattage? This bulb has been in use for 9 months.

 

[GlobularDuck]

Oh, and I made a mistake, He's in a 40 gallon tank right now. I was looking at 75s online and my brain got mixed up and told my typing fingers wrong.

 

[GlobularDuck]

But ultimately you think he's just ornery because I have the UVB lighting not right.

 

[GlobularDuck]

Oh, now I know what you mean by coil. Yeah, it's like those new fluorescent bulbs for lamps, not a long tube. Ok, I may be a little slow but now I got it. lol

 

[Sadie]

I took the bulb out to verifiy what I had. It is a Reptisun 10.0 fluorescent tube 13W. I had been replacing it yearly because that's what it said on the bulb but if I'm reading this right, I should replace every 6 months and maybe use a higher wattage? This bulb has been in use for 9 months.

That's about the time it takes for the uvb to start showing signs from your dragon----- I recommend you get rid of that bulb ASAP--- it is hurting your dragon- please get what I have recommended- the screen on your tank is fine mesh like a screen door or wide holed like a dime? The coil has basically given no UVB in the size of your tank--- they are inadequate and are the reason for many health issues

 

[GlobularDuck]

That's about the time it takes for the uvb to start showing signs from your dragon----- I recommend you get rid of that bulb ASAP--- it is hurting your dragon- please get what I have recommended- the screen on your tank is fine mesh like a screen door or wide holed like a dime? The coil has basically given no UVB in the size of your tank--- they are inadequate and are the reason for many health issues

It's a fine mesh. This is the type of bulb that came with the tank when I got it so I'll go out and get a new setup this afternoon. Thanks for the help!

 

[Sadie]

It's a fine mesh. This is the type of bulb that came with the tank when I got it so I'll go out and get a new setup this afternoon. Thanks for the help!

Ok if you can't find the set up I recommended I will post websites for you to get it--- do not get anything smaller than a 24" fixture w/ reflector-- you want a Reptisun 10.0 T 5 bulb

 

[LJZONUM]

Or again, all lighting issues aside, It’s most likely hormonal. My guy is less than two years old, and what you’re describing sounds exactly like his behavior for about a month after he came out of brumation. Literally trying to climb the walls. Luckily we discovered that he’ll settle at the window after doing a few rounds in the room. He would sit there for HOURS. Now, he’s back to being happy in his enclosure, but for a while there it was crazy!

 

[Sadie]

Or again, all lighting issues aside, It’s most likely hormonal. My guy is less than two years old, and what you’re describing sounds exactly like his behavior for about a month after he came out of brumation. Literally trying to climb the walls. Luckily we discovered that he’ll settle at the window after doing a few rounds in the room. He would sit there for HOURS. Now, he’s back to being happy in his enclosure, but for a while there it was crazy!

lol that is cute