I think my new "boy" is a girl and possibly gravid

[Shadow_Papa]

got my "boy" dragon from a lovely family about a month ago. Small beardie. He was about 3.5 years old. I noticed a few weeks back, that my boy was getting a kind of lumpy stomach, so I thought I might be over feeding him. Poops are regular. But the stomach was.... lumpyish. Weird.

Due to the weirdly lumped stomach, I am convinced he is impacted despite the regular poo (regularly occurring but kind of wet due to a diet change). Then I scour the internet and it appears, people often get girl dragons thinking they are boys. It's hard to tell when they are young. So this family likely got this beardie as a baby and was told it was a boy. This is a small beradie, so they tend to lay eggs later in life. And though, the beardie was not neglected, it's prior arrangements were not the most ideal. The tank was a little too small. The temperatures were a little off. The nutrition could have been better.

Beardie comes to my place. We upgrade the tank. Temperatures are perfect. We get fresher greens and more live bugs and I think that's when what I now think is "her" body was like "Conditions are right for laying". Meanwhile, I think "I don't know why my beardie is getting so bloated suddenly".

The internet tells me to look under the tail. Sure enough, there is one bump behind that tail (either that or REALLY small testies). I am going to the vet to confirm, but I am pretty sure my boy is a girl.

Would love it if anyone else has insight. (Sorry for the poopy butt. They just went)

 

[Sadie]

got my "boy" dragon from a lovely family about a month ago. Small beardie. He was about 3.5 years old. I noticed a few weeks back, that my boy was getting a kind of lumpy stomach, so I thought I might be over feeding him. Poops are regular. But the stomach was.... lumpyish. Weird.

Due to the weirdly lumped stomach, I am convinced he is impacted despite the regular poo (regularly occurring but kind of wet due to a diet change). Then I scour the internet and it appears, people often get girl dragons thinking they are boys. It's hard to tell when they are young. So this family likely got this beardie as a baby and was told it was a boy. This is a small beradie, so they tend to lay eggs later in life. And though, the beardie was not neglected, it's prior arrangements were not the most ideal. The tank was a little too small. The temperatures were a little off. The nutrition could have been better.

Beardie comes to my place. We upgrade the tank. Temperatures are perfect. We get fresher greens and more live bugs and I think that's when what I now think is "her" body was like "Conditions are right for laying". Meanwhile, I think "I don't know why my beardie is getting so bloated suddenly".

The internet tells me to look under the tail. Sure enough, there is one bump behind that tail (either that or REALLY small testies). I am going to the vet to confirm, but I am pretty sure my boy is a girl.

Would love it if anyone else has insight. (Sorry for the poopy butt. They just went)

I see flat so it would be a girl but I am gonna have someone else take a look -- if the dragon is frantically digging in the tank glass surfing that is a sign of needing to lay eggs - is this a recent pic of the dragon? The dragon will not get to its correct size w/ out proper UVB and good surface basking temps--- meaning the growth is stunted -- dragons will grow up until they are 2 -- if that is a recent pic he looks like a baby not 3.5 years old

 

[Shadow_Papa]

Here is a better picture (yes that first one is recent). I think the UVB bulb they had was not changed frequently enough. The beardie is about 22 inches in length but quite petite so I think was slightly underfed when I got them. I do believe they are stunted, which might account for why the delay in egg laying but perhaps they are a boy.

My digital thermometers say the set up is correct (103-108 on basking side and 80-83 on cool side). It's a 120 gallon tank and the UVB / Heat bulb is 160 watts and says the basking spot should be 30-40 cms away from the light, which it is.
Yes, the dragon does frantically move about the cage at times looking for something. They did that more in the small cage and less in this big one.

 

[Sadie]

Here is a better picture (yes that first one is recent). I think the UVB bulb they had was not changed frequently enough. The beardie is about 22 inches in length but quite petite so I think was slightly underfed when I got them. I do believe they are stunted, which might account for why the delay in egg laying but perhaps they are a boy.

My digital thermometers say the set up is correct (103-108 on basking side and 80-83 on cool side). It's a 120 gallon tank and the UVB / Heat bulb is 160 watts and says the basking spot should be 30-40 cms away from the light, which it is.
Yes, the dragon does frantically move about the cage at times looking for something. They did that more in the small cage and less in this big one.

Ok so 22" is good length for the dragon- I heard back from the person I reached out to and this is what she has said
Looks female from that pic but a few more with tail arched slightly higher and the pic taken from a slight side angle might show more. If you can't get more pics I would agree with you though, looks female.
For a older dragon they really dont like hotter temps if you find shes basking off to the side or not basking as long I would get the temps down to 95-100 and see what her behavior is like there -- what brand of MVB are you using?

 

[Shadow_Papa]

Hello,
Thank you so much. This is the bulb I am using is below. I can place it higher if its making the tank too hot (it sits directly on top... I also use a ceramic heat lamp in the middle because big tank).

Also here is my beardie. I am convinced more and more that its a girl or something is very wrong. I can feel a number of little lumps in the stomach.

:

 

[Shadow_Papa]

Here is the slight side

 

[Sadie]

Hello,
Thank you so much. This is the bulb I am using is below. I can place it higher if its making the tank too hot (it sits directly on top... I also use a ceramic heat lamp in the middle because big tank).

Also here is my beardie. I am convinced more and more that its a girl or something is very wrong. I can feel a number of little lumps in the stomach.
View attachment 33404: View attachment 33403

Ok I am gonna say that its not a very good bulb-- there are two that are recommended one is the mega Ray the other a powersun but also recommended is another long tube fixture uvb- most mvb's do not emit enough uvb rays and the farther away from the basking spot the less uvb rays- mvb's are expensive so I recommend you get a good solid clear bright white basking bulb like a flukers basking or a exo Terra intense or a Arcadia halogen-- - I can post links for 3 good uvb's- these are critical to the dragons health- mvb's need to be changed out in 6 months if your using for uvb if just heat it will last longer

 

[Sadie]

Here is the slight side
View attachment 33406

It looks like a girl and I am thinking she is gravid- please set up a dig box I can post one for you in an the morning

 

[Shadow_Papa]

Thank you! I do have this UVB bulb i can install from the small tank (she’s only been in the big one for a bit). How far up should I drill it? My tank is two feet tall.

I’ll also get a better bulb ! And let’s make a dig box !

 

[Sadie]

Thank you! I do have this UVB bulb i can install from the small tank (she’s only been in the big one for a bit). How far up should I drill it? My tank is two feet tall.

I’ll also get a better bulb ! And let’s make a dig box !

Your UVB needs a reflector - so w/ that being said I would get one of these
24" for a 40 + gallon tank

Zoo Med ReptiSun T5 HO High Output Terrarium Hood

Zoo Med ReptiSun HO T5 Terrarium Hoods are designed to provide your pet reptiles with the UVB and UVA they need in an efficient, long-lasting lamp. High Output (HO) T5 fluorescent lamps provide UVB penetration at greater distances, making these hoods an ideal choice for taller terrarium tanks...

www.petmountain.com

this comes w/ a 5.0 bulb you will need to get this bulb
22" https://www.petmountain.com/product/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-ho-100-uvb-high-output-bulbs?variant=40630
the 5.0 bulb can be used for a back up it is good for smaller tanks like 30 gallon and below - distance and placement is different tho from the 10.0 bulb
or this one you want a 24 watt w / the 12 % bulb https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/en...v-b-kit-65058.html?cgid=500114&fmethod=Browse
or this one you will need to change the bulb out in this fixture to the bulb posted above
you want the 2 ft or 24" https://hydrobuilder.com/sunblaster...mp.html?opts=eyJhdHRyaWJ1dGU5MDEiOiI2NjEwIn0=
When you get the UVB please let me know so I can help you get it placed for your tank - the screen will determine where it goes
here is some info on the dig box
LAYBOX

potting soil that doesn't have any type of chemicals or fertilizers in it, mixed with sand, etc. Be sure it is at least 10-12 inches deep & that the mix is damp enough to where it will hold up to her making a burrow but not sopping wet to have standing water.

 

[Shadow_Papa]

Hello!
I ordered the better UVB fixture and the Reptisun 10.0 bulb over the weekend. For the mean time, I've mounted the UVB bulb inside her tank, to get her some UVB from both that and the MVB until her new lights come in.

When the 150 watt halogen comes in, how far should it be above the basking spot? I keep it in a dome reflective fixture that sits on top of my mesh. It is 22 inches tall. Right now, I keep the 150 MVB about 30 cm from the basking spot. The instructions say 30-40, but she squints at a it a lot, so I wonder if is too bright.

Thanks! I dont want to burn her eyes.

 

[Sadie]

Hello!
I ordered the better UVB fixture and the Reptisun 10.0 bulb over the weekend. For the mean time, I've mounted the UVB bulb inside her tank, to get her some UVB from both that and the MVB until her new lights come in.

When the 150 watt halogen comes in, how far should it be above the basking spot? I keep it in a dome reflective fixture that sits on top of my mesh. It is 22 inches tall. Right now, I keep the 150 MVB about 30 cm from the basking spot. The instructions say 30-40, but she squints at a it a lot, so I wonder if is too bright.

Thanks! I dont want to burn her eyes.

That MVB is not a good basking bulb if shes closing her eyes a lot - a lot of those bulbs hurt the dragons eyes because they are cheaply made --- did you order a Arcadia Halogen bulb? you want the basking bulb no closer than 6" and make sure you have a digital probe thermometer for getting surface basking temps --

 

[Shadow_Papa]

Alright! I got the Megaray and its already a huge improvement. Much softer light that doesnt hurt eyes. I installs the t5 and the reptisun bulb two days ago, mounted inside about 12 inches high. So I have the MVB over basking spot, then the UVB next to it (with some space to not overheat) running the edge of the tank. I also use a 150 watt ceramic heater on the basking side to keep the temps normal in the 120 gallon.
Does that sound appropriate? The dragon seems much happier. She also laid eggs.

 

[Sadie]

Alright! I got the Megaray and its already a huge improvement. Much softer light that doesnt hurt eyes. I installs the t5 and the reptisun bulb two days ago, mounted inside about 12 inches high. So I have the MVB over basking spot, then the UVB next to it (with some space to not overheat) running the edge of the tank. I also use a 150 watt ceramic heater on the basking side to keep the temps normal in the 120 gallon.
Does that sound appropriate? The dragon seems much happier. She also laid eggs.

Oh dear! How is the egg thing going? How are you getting the surface basking temps? Your heat emitter is and should only be used at night if your temps are under 65--- your basking lamp meaning the Mega Ray is what wattage and where is it -- top of screen or is it hanging over the tank unobstructed like from a stand ? the UVB rays from the MVB will be effected by the screen and distance -- the farther the Mega Ray is from the basking decor the less UVB - sometimes its hard to get them adjusted so they are just right that is why you want the T 5 you have in the tank -- so she is getting adequate --- you want to get surface basking temps w/ a digital probe thermometer