Hello, I have a 2 and a half year old bearded dragon who is hiding in their cave and sleeping more than normal (not for sure of gender because there is trauma in their tail from before I got them but I call them a he). He is in a 55 gallon tank with a 100w basking light for day, and a 100w red light for night. The bulbs are both from zoo med and he also has a 18" strip UVB light that goes across the tank. There is also an under tank heater under the tank where the hide is that he's been staying in. The heater is usually around 90F. And now I may get backlash for this, but his substrate is Australian Desert Dragon Habitat Sand. I have done my research on it and I switch it out regularly to help avoid bacteria build up. Anyways I'm not sure if this is brumation or not because the temperatures in his tank don't fluctuate much. He's been hiding and sleeping in the cave day and night for the past 2 weeks. I do offer him crickets and collard greens in which he usually takes and still poops pretty regularly. He hasn't shown signs of illness but I'd like others opinions on if it's brumation, illness, or just a developed behavior?
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Beardie hiding and sleeping a lot
- Thread starter Blazer
- Start date
Your dragon is hiding from the red bulb--- please get rid if it- colored bulbs can cause long term eye damage--- they have a 3rd eye on top of their heads for predators and have very sensitive eyes- if you need extra heat at nite and your tank is falling below 65 at nite get a CHE- a ceramic heat emitter--- if your tank is a 40 + gallon try a 100 watt- you will need a dome w/ a ceramic socket- your T 8 how old is it? If it's 6 months old it needs to be replaced- where in the tank is it? If it's on top of the screen he is not getting enough UVB - the screen blocks 30% of the rays-- it needs to be inside the tank w/ no plastic cover over the bulb and it needs to be approx 6-8 inches directly over the basking decor- please make these changes and keep me posted- also the sand is not a good substrate I recommend you change it out to a textured NON adhesive shelf liner-- it's cheap and easy to clean w/ vinegar/ water solution 50/50
I have heard about the red bulb and meant to ask about that in my post but thank you for bringing it up. The UVB was just changed a month ago and is layed out on top of the tank. But I'm not 100% sure how to keep in the tank without removing the lid, he also has a hammock to bask in which he could easily jump out if the lid was removed. I originally had repti carpet in which I was looking for replacements because I've heard from multiple people it isn't the best option. I got sand because he kept trying to dig all over the tank and immediately dug when he was in with the sand. But I will get that changed thank you!
Your UVB can be hung w/ these 3 M Velcro command fasteners-- long plastic zip ties picture wire hangers- fishing line-- shoe laces- potted plant wire hangers-- please get it in the tank--- you will see a difference in his behavior
Thank you! I'll keep you updated
Remove the under tank Heater ASAP & remove the red light ASAP. NO colored bulbs at all ever; it burns their eyes & at nite; they like pure dark. If the temp drops below 68-70 then place a ceramic heat emitter which emits heat and no light but u should not need this except maybe in the winter. Secondly remove the sand ASAP; he prolly ingested quite a bit of it. U can use paper towels or go on the website Zen Habitats; call them & order the flooring substrate it’s like a padded matt that is amazing for the Beardies they will customize it to size & it’s easy to clean & only $34. Next u need the Reptisun UVB 10.0 T5 ASAP; that’s rhe best & only recommended uvb light and it comes in different lengths u need one that covers 70 prcnt of the tank beginning at the hot side so when he basks he’s getting the uvb. And lastly are u dusting his crickets once a day 5 days a week with RepCal calcium? Or sprinkling some on his veggies? Needs to be given calcium 5 Days a week and Herptivite vitamin sprinkled twice a week. Lastly; baths 2-3 times per week to help his tummy impactiom u can also masaage his tummy from the middle downward which will help release & the baths are for 15min or longer in lukewarm water that’s dechkorinated only!! Place Reptisafe drops in the bathing & drinking water if u don’t have a filtration system w/dechkorinated water. Chlorine dries out there skin completely & is very bad for them. Also, mist him with a spray bottle 2-4 times a day; again make sure it’s filtered/dechlorinated water. He is more than likely lacking UVB & on his way to MBD; 18 inches is not enuff; it needs to cover 70 prcnt of The tank & it has to be Reptisun 10.0 T5. U can order it on amazon or Thru Wallmart website & he has to have the calcium powder RepCal brand is the best. Alongside the temp which should be around 100-102 for an adult is perfect. And baths is mandatory but don’t get water in his ears. Lastly u can do a stool sample it’s typically only $45-$48 Just find a vet and get a container from them and have them test it; he could have Coccidia which is deadly. Please keep me posted this will fix him if u act fast & follow the above
also another good protein is Dubia Roaches u can place them in a water dish & he gets his water too. For now tho rub his tummy & bath him so he pops daily and get on the UVB, heat lamp and temps. ZooMed digital thermometer to get an accurate temp reading & humidity should be 30-40 percent never even higher or he will be sick .buy the Thrive brand Hydrogometer & place it 2inches from the top of the enclosure on the hot side where he basks. Keep me posted please