Humidity and Behaviour

[Luca]

I got my Bearded Dragon 3 months ago and I have always had the problem with behaviour ever since I first picked him up. He has gotten really angry at me every time I pick him up. He rarely bites me but he runs away and shows his beard. I have picked him up almost every day since I first handled him ( 3 days after I got him ). I've checked everything and it all fits to what the experts say he should have/require. The only thing that is odd in his tank is the humidity. I'm not exactly sure what humidity is measured in but I do know that the monitor in the tank says it fluctuates between 35-50. Sometimes it goes to 50 and is that bad? I tried my best to allow ventilation in the tank. I started opening the glass windows a bit. Any way I can fix these too problems?


Also here is my vivarium setup in an attached file.

 

[PatsyB]

I don't think the humidity is causing the temperament. It's probably just his personality. Even 3 months in he could still be adjusting to you and his new home. Some things that are helpful, put something with your scent in his tank like a t-shirt or scarf or something, this will help him get used to your scent. When you reach into his tank to get him don't reach over him, scoop him up from the front and support his back legs and tail with your other hand. When something comes at them from overhead they think it's a predator and will get defensive. When he flares up at you don't show him you are scared, don't flinch or move your hand, he'll soon realize that he doesn't scare you. Another thing that works is to try picking him up and holding him right before his lights go out for the night. Usually about an hour or so before their lights go out they start to tuck in and find their sleep spot and they get tired. Their defenses are down and you can usually hold them without an incident. After awhile he should get used to being held.

Humidity up to 50% is okay. If you want to lower it, I've heard of people putting rice in a sock in their tank and that is supposed to help absorb the humidity. Just don't use minute rice, use regular rice.

 

[PatsyB]

Just looked at the photo. Where is the ventilation in your tank? There should be some holes on the sides or back that help circulate the air

 

[Luca]

Thanks for the info man. Sounds like it could really help

And about the ventilation, there is 3 wide slits at the back of the box

 

[jarich]

That humidity is actually perfect, no need to worry about that at all.

However, can you tell us what UV lighting you are using? It seems quite far away from the dragon where it is now, depending on what type of light it is.

 

[Luca]

That humidity is actually perfect, no need to worry about that at all.

However, can you tell us what UV lighting you are using? It seems quite far away from the dragon where it is now, depending on what type of light it is.

How do I find out what type of UV is it. I didn't really knew it mattered.

 

[jarich]

It matters based on the distance from the bulb. When your bulb is off youll see some writing printed on one side by the end. It will have the brand name and the bulb type. It should normally say whether it is a T5 or a T8. If its a T8 then the bulb needs to be no further away than about 8 inches from where the dragon basks. With a T5 you can have it mounted much further away, especially as most fixtures come with a reflector also.