Hiding

[Justine55]

I have a female dragon that I adopted. I've had her going on 2 years. She was said to be 8 months when I adopted her. The reason for rehoming was that she was "aggressive". After a lot of hand feeding, she is pretty tame now. Doesn't like being handled still, but tolerates it.

The issue I'm having is that she hides a lot. She is in a bioactive 4x2x2 zen habitat. She will dig herself under some corkbark and won't come out, even to eat, for weeks at a time. I usually have to pull her out and she will eat normally and bask for about a week or so before hiding again. I've tried taking the corkbark out, but then she digs herself into places where I can't find her. I'd rather leave the bark in so that at least I know where she is.

Is this normal?

 

[Justine55]

 

[Sadie]

View attachment 28189View attachment 28190

She should be basking at least 4 hrs per day so w/ her hiding alot I am thinking its the lighting in the tank -- do you know if she is digging as if to lay eggs? Have you checked her enclosure for eggs? Let go go over the UVB -- what are you using? coil or tube and where in the tank is it? The basking temps are what? I see the probe so that is good--

 

[Justine55]

She should be basking at least 4 hrs per day so w/ her hiding alot I am thinking its the lighting in the tank -- do you know if she is digging as if to lay eggs? Have you checked her enclosure for eggs? Let go go over the UVB -- what are you using? coil or tube and where in the tank is it? The basking temps are what? I see the probe so that is good--

I have not seen any eggs. She has a 24in reptisun uvb led (led for live plants). Uvb is a t5 10.0 reptisun bulb. Basking light is a 150 watt w/ a thermostat at 98⁰ at the probe. Up to 100⁰ and down to 95⁰ depending on how high up she climbs.

 

[Sadie]

I have not seen any eggs. She has a 24in reptisun uvb led (led for live plants). Uvb is a t5 10.0 reptisun bulb. Basking light is a 150 watt w/ a thermostat at 98⁰ at the probe. Up to 100⁰ and down to 95⁰ depending on how high up she climbs.

Where is the UVB placed? Inside the tank and how far distance? If its in the tank it should be 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor

 

[Justine55]

Where is the UVB placed? Inside the tank and how far distance? If its in the tank it should be 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor

It is 10-12in (depending on where she lays) outside of the tank. The fixture does have a reflector.

 

[Sadie]

It is 10-12in (depending on where she lays) outside of the tank. The fixture does have a reflector.

the blue bulb is for the plants?

 

[Justine55]

the blue bulb is for the plants?

Yes. They are 3 tiny blue led lights which are turned off at night. We started using them recently. She still hid before we used the led lights.

 

[Sadie]

Yes. They are 3 tiny blue led lights which are turned off at night. We started using them recently. She still hid before we used the led lights.

Interesting --- w/ the proper lighting and basking temps I am not sure -- shes not showing lethargic behavior - just wont bask -- I was thinking maybe parasites but thats not going to cause her not to bask -- is she losing weight? Please get a weight on her kitchen scale and weigh in grams--- if she is losing weight then there is a issue-- what about pooping ?

 

[Justine55]

Interesting --- w/ the proper lighting and basking temps I am not sure -- shes not showing lethargic behavior - just wont bask -- I was thinking maybe parasites but thats not going to cause her not to bask -- is she losing weight? Please get a weight on her kitchen scale and weigh in grams--- if she is losing weight then there is a issue-- what about pooping ?

She doesn't seem to be losing weight. I will weigh her to double check.

Her poops are normal, I think. I've attached a picture. As long as she eats, she poops regularly. This one just happened to be in her bowl .
I've also never seen her drink water, even in the bath. I do keep a water bowl on the cool side, just incase.

 

[Justine55]

Interesting --- w/ the proper lighting and basking temps I am not sure -- shes not showing lethargic behavior - just wont bask -- I was thinking maybe parasites but thats not going to cause her not to bask -- is she losing weight? Please get a weight on her kitchen scale and weigh in grams--- if she is losing weight then there is a issue-- what about pooping ?

She weighs 556g

 

[Sadie]

She weighs 556g

Shes of good weight -- most vets would say over weight - the poop looks good too -- how is the humidity in the tank? Optimal is 20-50% nothing under 20 and nothing over 70% --

 

[Justine55]

She likes her bugs more than her veggies..
The humidity stays in the 30s

 

[Sadie]

She likes her bugs more than her veggies..
The humidity stays in the 30s

Yes most do--- not sure why she is hiding --- its not winter where you are is it?

 

[Justine55]

Yes most do--- not sure why she is hiding --- its not winter where you are is it?

Nope. Quite the opposite. Summer in Texas.

 

[Sadie]

Nope. Quite the opposite. Summer in Texas.

Ok so brumation would be out ---

It is 10-12in (depending on where she lays) outside of the tank. The fixture does have a reflector.

So the UVB is on top of the screen?

 

[Justine55]

Ok so brumation would be out ---

So the UVB is on top of the screen?

Yes

 

[Justine55]

Ok so brumation would be out ---

So the UVB is on top of the screen?

In her previous tank, it was inside the tank. She still hid the same.

 

[Sadie]

In her previous tank, it was inside the tank. She still hid the same.

ok shes not getting enough UVB if the screen is a fine mesh like a screen door -- if its a wide holed type it can stay there but the distance between the screens is different --- placement for inside 12-15 inches --- on top 8-10 inches -- I know this may not have any difference in the behavior but when she does bask you want her to be able to get all the UVB she can --- it is detrimental to her health

 

[Bluboy05]

She might be in brumation bearded dragons are from southern hemisphere so it is winter there