In my post “Is it instinct” I asked for your opinions on if you thought natural instinct still applied to our animals. My question was based on this observation.
My initial observation was intended to be based on appetite and brumation, but took a different, unexpected road into the application of lighting, the variation in basking temperatures, and what appears as the desire to get closer to the rays as the strength weakens. Some seems to be based on age, the rest appears to be instinctual, and unlike what I see people here speak of.
I will tell you that blood calcium draws are performed, but are not comparable at this time. It will take another 2 years to compile and compare that data for an accurate chart. Icriad is not any danger however.
These are only my short notes, please keep in mind. My full notes are much more detailed.
While you read, I’d like you to develop opinions on what you can visualize.
Instinct Observations
2-21-2008
I begin this observation using Icriad as my prime. She is a 5 year old German Giant Cross, weighing 1347 grams on this date, and she is 25.25 inches long. Her fecal was negative for all parasites. Her appetite is standard. She eats approximately 40 bugs per week and 3 salads per day.
Jonyx is my control. She is a 5 year old German Giant Cross weighing 1401 grams and is 25 inches long. Her fecal was negative for all parasites. Her appetite is standard. She eats approximately 40 bugs per week and 3 salads per day.
Icriad’s enclosure is 6 ‘ x 2’ x 2’ and has a basking site of 112F and a second basking site of 120F. There is a 4.0 Foot Repti Sun 10.0, impletmented on todays date, internally mounted.
Jonyx’s enclosure is 6 ‘ x 2’ x 2’ and has a basking site of 112F and a second basking site of 120F. There is a 4.0 Foot Repti Sun 10.0, impletmented on todays date, internally mounted.
The substrate for both enclosures is shelf liner. The basking site is drift wood. There is a sand portion approximately 8 inches thick at one end of her enclosure
3-30-2008
Icriad’s behavior has not varied in the last month since her move. She seems to like the lower basking temperature.
Jonyx’s behavior has not varied in the last month since her move. She seems to like the lower basking temperature.
6-5-2008
The Repti Sun is due to be changed. Icriad is noted to be climbing closer to the UVB lighting than she has in the previous months. Is that because it’s losing it’s strength? There have been no other changes in behavior.
Jonyx hasn’t moved from her original basking spot.
6-12-2008
The UVB has been replaced in both enclosures and Icriad is noted retreating lower on her basking site. Her appetite is irratic…….and she seems to eat more on some days than others. She has began to move to the cooler end by late evening and is inside her cave by nightfall.
7-1-2008
Icriad is in brumation sound asleep. Fecal results were negative. Lighting was shut down and water was removed.
7-27-2008
Jonyx is in brumation. Fecal was negative. Lighting shut down and water removed.
11-11-2008
It must be wake up time. Icriad is half way out of her cave as if searching for the light. I turned them back on and she climbed her basking spot. I gave her a long soak and replaced her water bowl.
Jonyx is still asleep, but opens her eyes from time to time and glares at me like she’s evil.
3-9-2009
Fecal results were negative. The UVB is timed for replacement. Icriad is again noted moving closer to the UVB as it ages. Appetite is back, so is attitude. She’s stomping around and smacking the enclosure because she senses Czar. Gotta move him.
Jonyx moved closer to the UVB over the last 2 days. I replaced her bulb on todays date and she retreated to her regular spot.
Note:
4-12-2009
I’ve decided to post pone my lighting replacement to observe if she will climb closer still to the UVB.
4-22-2009
Icriad has moved up another little bit closer to the UVB lighting while she basks. Her appetite has stayed the same and her energy level is adequate.
Jonyx is eating great and basking well.
5-16-2009.
Icriad has positioned herself approximately 4-5 inches from the UVB light while basking. She doesn’t attempt to relocate to the cooler end as much as she used to. Is this a thermoregulation problem?
6-23-2009
Icriad’s appetite is declining although she is constantly basking. Fecal results showed a 3+ on coccidian count. She is still at the upper portion of the basking site close to the light.
Jonyx is still eating well. She’s showing irritation at Icriad from across the room.
7-9-2009
Icriad is showing signs of wanting to brumate, but I’ll try to prevent that for now. (this bulb experiment has me not wanting her to go down without exposure)
Jonyx went into her cave yesterday and has stayed there all day today. Lighting for this enclosure what shut down.
7-11-2009
Replaced UVB bulb for Icriad.
7-14-2009
Icriad remained close to the UVB for the first couple of days, but has finally began backing off some. Her coccidian count remains the same, as does her appetite.
7-22-2009
Icriad has crawled into her cave. I’ll give her a couple of weeks and wake her. Lighting has been turned off.
8-8-2009
I took Icriad out today and gave her a bath and got a new fecal sample. I turned the lights on and she basked for several hours, then went back to sleep. The coccidian count remains at 3+
10-12-2009
I woke Icriad again today and gave her a bath and turned the lights on for the day.
12-12-2009
Jonyx woke up and began roaming around the enclosure today. I turned the lighting up and she began to bask.
12-29-2009
Icriad is awake and coming out of her cave. I turned the lights on, but she wasn’t sure it was time to wake up. She stayed close to her cave all day and to bed early tonight.
12-30-2009
Icriad was basking when I got up. She attacked her salad the second I put it in the enclosure. She was soaked today and her water bowl was placed back in her enclosure. Her basking temperatures are stable now, however, she is basking at a temp of 108 vs. the 112 from 2008.
Jonyx is eating well. She’s basking at the 112F. area of her basking site.
1-26-2010
Icriad continues to bask at the 108F temp. Appetite is good. Fecal exam showed negative for parasites and coccidian count was within scope.
3-10-2010
Icriad has began to stomp her cage again. What’s setting her off this time? Maybe it’s because the new puppy is smaller than her???!!??? She continues to bask at a lower temperature. Appetite is stable.
Jonyx is eating well. She’s basking at the 108F. area of her basking site.
4-9-10
Icriad has moved on her basking site so that she is closer to the UVB, but further from direct heat. Her appetite isn’t good. She’s definitely sensing males.
4-27-10
The UVB meter is showing a rapid decline in a bulb was in use less than 6 months. Icriad’s location is within 3 inches of it. She is spending the majority of her day and most of the early evening in this spot. She moves closer to the basking light for a few hours each day….but not many. She’s also basking at a position of 105-106F. Her appetite has decreased. No parasites present.
Jonyx is eating well. No parasites are present. She’s currently basking between 105-108F.
This observation is unique to my dragons and i am not indicating this will apply to other animals
My initial observation was intended to be based on appetite and brumation, but took a different, unexpected road into the application of lighting, the variation in basking temperatures, and what appears as the desire to get closer to the rays as the strength weakens. Some seems to be based on age, the rest appears to be instinctual, and unlike what I see people here speak of.
I will tell you that blood calcium draws are performed, but are not comparable at this time. It will take another 2 years to compile and compare that data for an accurate chart. Icriad is not any danger however.
These are only my short notes, please keep in mind. My full notes are much more detailed.
While you read, I’d like you to develop opinions on what you can visualize.
Instinct Observations
2-21-2008
I begin this observation using Icriad as my prime. She is a 5 year old German Giant Cross, weighing 1347 grams on this date, and she is 25.25 inches long. Her fecal was negative for all parasites. Her appetite is standard. She eats approximately 40 bugs per week and 3 salads per day.
Jonyx is my control. She is a 5 year old German Giant Cross weighing 1401 grams and is 25 inches long. Her fecal was negative for all parasites. Her appetite is standard. She eats approximately 40 bugs per week and 3 salads per day.
Icriad’s enclosure is 6 ‘ x 2’ x 2’ and has a basking site of 112F and a second basking site of 120F. There is a 4.0 Foot Repti Sun 10.0, impletmented on todays date, internally mounted.
Jonyx’s enclosure is 6 ‘ x 2’ x 2’ and has a basking site of 112F and a second basking site of 120F. There is a 4.0 Foot Repti Sun 10.0, impletmented on todays date, internally mounted.
The substrate for both enclosures is shelf liner. The basking site is drift wood. There is a sand portion approximately 8 inches thick at one end of her enclosure
3-30-2008
Icriad’s behavior has not varied in the last month since her move. She seems to like the lower basking temperature.
Jonyx’s behavior has not varied in the last month since her move. She seems to like the lower basking temperature.
6-5-2008
The Repti Sun is due to be changed. Icriad is noted to be climbing closer to the UVB lighting than she has in the previous months. Is that because it’s losing it’s strength? There have been no other changes in behavior.
Jonyx hasn’t moved from her original basking spot.
6-12-2008
The UVB has been replaced in both enclosures and Icriad is noted retreating lower on her basking site. Her appetite is irratic…….and she seems to eat more on some days than others. She has began to move to the cooler end by late evening and is inside her cave by nightfall.
7-1-2008
Icriad is in brumation sound asleep. Fecal results were negative. Lighting was shut down and water was removed.
7-27-2008
Jonyx is in brumation. Fecal was negative. Lighting shut down and water removed.
11-11-2008
It must be wake up time. Icriad is half way out of her cave as if searching for the light. I turned them back on and she climbed her basking spot. I gave her a long soak and replaced her water bowl.
Jonyx is still asleep, but opens her eyes from time to time and glares at me like she’s evil.
3-9-2009
Fecal results were negative. The UVB is timed for replacement. Icriad is again noted moving closer to the UVB as it ages. Appetite is back, so is attitude. She’s stomping around and smacking the enclosure because she senses Czar. Gotta move him.
Jonyx moved closer to the UVB over the last 2 days. I replaced her bulb on todays date and she retreated to her regular spot.
Note:
4-12-2009
I’ve decided to post pone my lighting replacement to observe if she will climb closer still to the UVB.
4-22-2009
Icriad has moved up another little bit closer to the UVB lighting while she basks. Her appetite has stayed the same and her energy level is adequate.
Jonyx is eating great and basking well.
5-16-2009.
Icriad has positioned herself approximately 4-5 inches from the UVB light while basking. She doesn’t attempt to relocate to the cooler end as much as she used to. Is this a thermoregulation problem?
6-23-2009
Icriad’s appetite is declining although she is constantly basking. Fecal results showed a 3+ on coccidian count. She is still at the upper portion of the basking site close to the light.
Jonyx is still eating well. She’s showing irritation at Icriad from across the room.
7-9-2009
Icriad is showing signs of wanting to brumate, but I’ll try to prevent that for now. (this bulb experiment has me not wanting her to go down without exposure)
Jonyx went into her cave yesterday and has stayed there all day today. Lighting for this enclosure what shut down.
7-11-2009
Replaced UVB bulb for Icriad.
7-14-2009
Icriad remained close to the UVB for the first couple of days, but has finally began backing off some. Her coccidian count remains the same, as does her appetite.
7-22-2009
Icriad has crawled into her cave. I’ll give her a couple of weeks and wake her. Lighting has been turned off.
8-8-2009
I took Icriad out today and gave her a bath and got a new fecal sample. I turned the lights on and she basked for several hours, then went back to sleep. The coccidian count remains at 3+
10-12-2009
I woke Icriad again today and gave her a bath and turned the lights on for the day.
12-12-2009
Jonyx woke up and began roaming around the enclosure today. I turned the lighting up and she began to bask.
12-29-2009
Icriad is awake and coming out of her cave. I turned the lights on, but she wasn’t sure it was time to wake up. She stayed close to her cave all day and to bed early tonight.
12-30-2009
Icriad was basking when I got up. She attacked her salad the second I put it in the enclosure. She was soaked today and her water bowl was placed back in her enclosure. Her basking temperatures are stable now, however, she is basking at a temp of 108 vs. the 112 from 2008.
Jonyx is eating well. She’s basking at the 112F. area of her basking site.
1-26-2010
Icriad continues to bask at the 108F temp. Appetite is good. Fecal exam showed negative for parasites and coccidian count was within scope.
3-10-2010
Icriad has began to stomp her cage again. What’s setting her off this time? Maybe it’s because the new puppy is smaller than her???!!??? She continues to bask at a lower temperature. Appetite is stable.
Jonyx is eating well. She’s basking at the 108F. area of her basking site.
4-9-10
Icriad has moved on her basking site so that she is closer to the UVB, but further from direct heat. Her appetite isn’t good. She’s definitely sensing males.
4-27-10
The UVB meter is showing a rapid decline in a bulb was in use less than 6 months. Icriad’s location is within 3 inches of it. She is spending the majority of her day and most of the early evening in this spot. She moves closer to the basking light for a few hours each day….but not many. She’s also basking at a position of 105-106F. Her appetite has decreased. No parasites present.
Jonyx is eating well. No parasites are present. She’s currently basking between 105-108F.
This observation is unique to my dragons and i am not indicating this will apply to other animals
