No heat or uvb light for one year

[Monstermug]

So we actually know surprisingly little about reptiles and their lighting/dietary requirements. We supposedly "know" that turtles and tortoises need UVB to develop strong shells but I've known people to raise turtles in bins with an inch of water and never any calcium, multivitamin, or UVB and they grow up fine. I've also heard the story of a tortoise who escaped his enclosure and lived in a massive house bordering on a mansion for 10 years to be later discovered alive and well (during the owner's relocation) although very stunted in size. I asked if they had edible house plants kept at floor level and they said no. His source of food and water are unknown to this day much less UVB.

If this story is true, and I doubt that it is, then it basically means that a baby bearded dragon can grow for 1 year at a somewhat slower than normal rate without any UVB. The purpose of UVB exposure is to create vitamin D3 which is needed to absorb calcium and some people believe that it cannot be dietarily supplemented because it would be digested but rather it needs to be produced in the skin and enter the bloodstream directly. If this story is true, it would be strong evidence against that theory and it would make basic bearded dragon survival care much cheaper and easier.

But once again, I really don't think it's true. I think something got lost in translation and the lizard did indeed get UVB either from a past owner who just bought the lighting that the pet store recommended not knowing it provided UVB or by leaving it near an open window for extended periods without connecting that that, under the correct circumstances, is providing UVB despite not having a dedicated UVB bulb.

Not everything you read on the internet is correct. I always take advice and guides with a pinch of salt. However, the necessity of UVA/B lighting is a must as they are precursor to reptiles processing vitamins D and D3 from their food. There are scientific papers to prove this. The fact that the previous owner has fed it vitamins may explain the reason why the MBD hasn't advance to severe stages as the vitamins maybe soluble and utilised by the dragon whereas if they are eating a diet that does not contain any vitamins D or D3 then UVA/B lighting will be required to synthesis the food they eat into vitamins D or D3. That's my hypothesis anyway.

There are also scientific paper that states that UVA/B lighting is an active stimulant to appetite. Heat can also stimulate an appetite and heat mats really don't produce the kind of heat we want. Maybe for seedlings but for reptiles its not that great. I am guessing the previous owner dust its food with the calcium and vitamin supplement. Which means that the lack of appetite would have caused not enough vitamin consumption and therefore in the state that he is in at the moment. Small and showing signs of MBD.

Now don't all going around turning off your UVA/B lights to save money. It's just my theory but I rather provide what is naturally best for my Pets even if its true.

The fact that you have gone to rescue it is a gift in itself. With continued conditions like that I doubt it will live a long and happy life. Hope you find someone that can care for it properly!

 

[Monstermug]

I'm no expert on beard dragons btw but I must be doing something right. My 2 months baby is reaching 16 inches comfortably eating adult size locusts with wings and legs now? Hope I don't jinx myself and find her on her back one day lol.

 

[Beardomania]

To end this here because I’m getting tired of your well organized point by point argument or not argument whatever makes you sleep at night.

Umm thanks for compliment, I guess...

The difference between brumation and hibernation is that an animal is not dormant and can remain awake or active in brumation. But their metabolic rates slow down as well as their respiratory rate and digestive tract. All these systems are slow long down so that they can conserve energy and not die of starvation. This is what brumation is so that when they are spending time out and away from the sun and not getting uvb they won’t become susceptible to diseases. A reptiles metabolic, respiratory and digestive system also slow down when they are not getting enough heat to make all these systems work properly because Mother Nature decided to play the devil’s advocate and say “let’s give these creatures the same systems as mammals that work and function in the same way BUT let’s make them cold blooded and have them figure out how to stay warm so their bodies can function properly”. Reptiles need heat and when they don’t get it their bodily systems start to slow down as if they were in brumation. So this beardie who is under a year old may have not brumated but could have exhibited the same symptoms of it because he wasn’t getting enough heat.

I know what brumation is and I know that reptiles slow down when they are cold but that causes them not to grow. In other words, if it was warm enough for them to grow, then it's warm enough for MBD to progress.

And if you want your “proof” google “what happens when a reptile gets cold”.

They cease to grow. They die. LOL What do you expect to find?

Now I wish you a fun time reading because me and Cleo have a tea party to attend to in the park today, and your company and opinion are needed as much as my ex’s.

Well, it's not about what you think you need. This is a public forum so you'll get another's opinion if they feel like it and all are free to read. This is especially true if you are sensitive about others questioning your misinformation.

Good day luv and happy researching

I do all the time, You should try it darling; then you wouldn't say things like a beardie grew from a hatchling to 15 inches while slowing down its metabolism in half brumation to stave off MBD.

 

[Yvonne G]

I think this discussion has run its course.