Shelby may or may not be brumating!

[SharpShelbyCheese]

Hello, my bearded dragon’s name is Shelby. My family and I had him for over two years now since he was itty bitty. We are very concerned whether or not they are in brumation or not. They have been hiding under their cave for a couple weeks now. Although, they technically have been doing this for months now, but I used to take him out of there and put him on top of the cave/rock under the basking light. I would also then proceed to feed them. Feeding them is very tricky for us. They will go days or weeks without eating, and when they do eat, it’s not very much. We feed them collard greens, kale, and dubia roaches. Recently, the vet gave us supplements to try and feed them with. They loved one of them. Anyways, since Christmas was recent, we went out of town for about two weeks, while my brother stayed behind most of the whole trip to take care of him. So basically Shelby did not have the lights and no attempt to feed them for two whole days. After those two days, we came back, turned the lights on, and of course checked how he is doing. The enclosure was at 80 degrees F. Now, my brother told me that I should not force him to come and put him under the basking light, which I’ve been doing for months now because he suspects he is in brumation. Now, I have known what that is for awhile, but I was not sure if he is or not. We all considered he is either in it or he has parasites or maybe depressed or something. The vet says he is healthy and no parasites, so we really do not know. We are somewhat considering to just turn the lights off and wait and see when he comes out, but I’m so afraid he might die of starvation or not being warm enough. Please help send advice!!

 

[Sadie]

Hello, my bearded dragon’s name is Shelby. My family and I had him for over two years now since he was itty bitty. We are very concerned whether or not they are in brumation or not. They have been hiding under their cave for a couple weeks now. Although, they technically have been doing this for months now, but I used to take him out of there and put him on top of the cave/rock under the basking light. I would also then proceed to feed them. Feeding them is very tricky for us. They will go days or weeks without eating, and when they do eat, it’s not very much. We feed them collard greens, kale, and dubia roaches. Recently, the vet gave us supplements to try and feed them with. They loved one of them. Anyways, since Christmas was recent, we went out of town for about two weeks, while my brother stayed behind most of the whole trip to take care of him. So basically Shelby did not have the lights and no attempt to feed them for two whole days. After those two days, we came back, turned the lights on, and of course checked how he is doing. The enclosure was at 80 degrees F. Now, my brother told me that I should not force him to come and put him under the basking light, which I’ve been doing for months now because he suspects he is in brumation. Now, I have known what that is for awhile, but I was not sure if he is or not. We all considered he is either in it or he has parasites or maybe depressed or something. The vet says he is healthy and no parasites, so we really do not know. We are somewhat considering to just turn the lights off and wait and see when he comes out, but I’m so afraid he might die of starvation or not being warm enough. Please help send advice!!

It is brumation time of the year -- how long has the appetite been off? What is the dragons weight? Is he losing weight? Months of having to get him under the basking light is not good - we need to go over all the temps and lighting in the tank-- first what kind of basking bulb are you using-- brand? What are the surface basking temps - those need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer NO stick ons - next what is the brand and bulb of the UVB your using? How old is it and where is it placed for the tank? Surface basking temps should be 95-100 ambient around 100 - cool side of the tank 80ish during the day - lets start there

 

[SharpShelbyCheese]

It is brumation time of the year -- how long has the appetite been off? What is the dragons weight? Is he losing weight? Months of having to get him under the basking light is not good - we need to go over all the temps and lighting in the tank-- first what kind of basking bulb are you using-- brand? What are the surface basking temps - those need to be taken w/ a digital probe thermometer NO stick ons - next what is the brand and bulb of the UVB your using? How old is it and where is it placed for the tank? Surface basking temps should be 95-100 ambient around 100 - cool side of the tank 80ish during the day - lets start there

The appetite has been off ever since summer. Maybe June or August. Like I said earlier, he will eat but only when he wants to. For example, I will attempt to feed him everyday and some days he will (not very much) but most days he will not. Also, ever since my brother told me not to bring him out of the cave, he will not eat or move. I’m so scared. Although, everyone in the house agrees that it does not look like he lost wait. I completely forgot how much, but when he was weighed at the vet they said it is good and plump lol. But through these months of appetite being weird, I used to put him under the basking light. Most of the time, he will either go in his corner or under the cave. The basking light is from Amazon known as “MIXJOY 150W Reptile Heat Lamp/Basking Spot Light”. I usually check the temps around the enclosure with a temp gun (iykwim). And the surface of the rock under the basking light is typically between 93-99ish. Depends on when we turn it on. Our UVB light actually just went out yesterday, so we just bought a new one from Amazon waiting to come in. It’s known as “REPTI ZOO 34” T5 HO 10.0 UVB bulb desert reptile”. It is placed right in front of the basking light. Like maybe 6 inches idk. It’s not directly overtop the basking rock. The cool side of the enclosure is 80 (I just checked) and also, under the basking rock (where Shelby is atm) is 85…

 

[Sadie]

The appetite has been off ever since summer. Maybe June or August. Like I said earlier, he will eat but only when he wants to. For example, I will attempt to feed him everyday and some days he will (not very much) but most days he will not. Also, ever since my brother told me not to bring him out of the cave, he will not eat or move. I’m so scared. Although, everyone in the house agrees that it does not look like he lost wait. I completely forgot how much, but when he was weighed at the vet they said it is good and plump lol. But through these months of appetite being weird, I used to put him under the basking light. Most of the time, he will either go in his corner or under the cave. The basking light is from Amazon known as “MIXJOY 150W Reptile Heat Lamp/Basking Spot Light”. I usually check the temps around the enclosure with a temp gun (iykwim). And the surface of the rock under the basking light is typically between 93-99ish. Depends on when we turn it on. Our UVB light actually just went out yesterday, so we just bought a new one from Amazon waiting to come in. It’s known as “REPTI ZOO 34” T5 HO 10.0 UVB bulb desert reptile”. It is placed right in front of the basking light. Like maybe 6 inches idk. It’s not directly overtop the basking rock. The cool side of the enclosure is 80 (I just checked) and also, under the basking rock (where Shelby is atm) is 85…

Ok please get a different basking bulb flukers basking -- exo terra intense or Arcadia halogen- I would up your surface basking temps to 95-100-- the uvb fixture is fine but you want a better bulb reptisun 10.0 T 5 or Arcadia 12% 24 watt- the screen on the tank will determine placement and distance when you get it post back on here and I will help you get it set up - after that we will see how his behavior is - gonna start there for now

 

[Sadie]

How is the dragon getting water?

 

[SharpShelbyCheese]

Ok please get a different basking bulb flukers basking -- exo terra intense or Arcadia halogen- I would up your surface basking temps to 95-100-- the uvb fixture is fine but you want a better bulb reptisun 10.0 T 5 or Arcadia 12% 24 watt- the screen on the tank will determine placement and distance when you get it post back on here and I will help you get it set up - after that we will see how his behavior is - gonna start there for now

Firstly, yes he is getting water. I used to just give him a shower a couple times a week, but the vet recommended to mist his tank about 2-4 times a day. Also, I do want to clarify that I am not sure if my family and I will be able to buy different brands anytime soon just because we spent money on those things I’ve mentioned. I will definitely mention it to the fam and see what they think. I will try my best to heat it up more. I also put a heater in the room just because my house gets really cold. Also, he ate today!! I was really happy to see that. And then he went back in his cave. Soo I’m still not sure if he is in brumation or not. I’ve heard some owners just turn the lights off, and wait til they come out. Any other advice/recommendatiosn?

 

[Sadie]

Firstly, yes he is getting water. I used to just give him a shower a couple times a week, but the vet recommended to mist his tank about 2-4 times a day. Also, I do want to clarify that I am not sure if my family and I will be able to buy different brands anytime soon just because we spent money on those things I’ve mentioned. I will definitely mention it to the fam and see what they think. I will try my best to heat it up more. I also put a heater in the room just because my house gets really cold. Also, he ate today!! I was really happy to see that. And then he went back in his cave. Soo I’m still not sure if he is in brumation or not. I’ve heard some owners just turn the lights off, and wait til they come out. Any other advice/recommendatiosn?

Your dragon is responding to the lighting in the tank w/ not eating for long periods of time or barely eating- its difficult to determine if its actually the behavior towards the time of year meaning it could be semi brumation where they will stay in their hides and be lazy coming out once in awhile to get food and bask - full brumation where they are actually asleep or zonked out for months or responding to the temps in the tank and UVB- so determine that for sure we need to make sure the surface basking temps and ambient temps and UVB are spot on -- can you post a pic of the tank and him please --- also if the tank is dropping below 65 ambient temp at night I would recommend you get a CHE - ceramic heat emitter - you want ambient temps in the tank between 65-75 at night -- NO lights or colored bulbs period -- I would not recommend turning the dragons lights off at all at this time since we arent sure if his behavior is because of the basking bulb or UVB -- what were you using for a UVB before you ordered the Reptizoo - those bulbs are not of good quality that is why I recommended the Reptisun or the Arcadia - Flukers basking bulbs can be ordered from Walmart - I just got some yesterday from them -- https://www.walmart.com/search?q=flukers basking bulb 100 watt&typeahead=flukersbasking
the reptisun 10.0 T 5 bulb https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...d-reptisun-10-0-uvb-t5?variant=26907418591332

Arcadia 12% UVB T5 HO

Offering a significant increase in both visible light and UV output compared with T8 lamps of similar length. For Desert Species 12% UVB for the synthesis of vitamin D3 30% UVA Produces excellent natural colors 100%+ more visible light than equivalent length D3+ T8 lamp (un-reflected) 95% more...

www.pangeareptile.com

these bulbs are of good quality are recommended --

 

[SharpShelbyCheese]

Your dragon is responding to the lighting in the tank w/ not eating for long periods of time or barely eating- its difficult to determine if its actually the behavior towards the time of year meaning it could be semi brumation where they will stay in their hides and be lazy coming out once in awhile to get food and bask - full brumation where they are actually asleep or zonked out for months or responding to the temps in the tank and UVB- so determine that for sure we need to make sure the surface basking temps and ambient temps and UVB are spot on -- can you post a pic of the tank and him please --- also if the tank is dropping below 65 ambient temp at night I would recommend you get a CHE - ceramic heat emitter - you want ambient temps in the tank between 65-75 at night -- NO lights or colored bulbs period -- I would not recommend turning the dragons lights off at all at this time since we arent sure if his behavior is because of the basking bulb or UVB -- what were you using for a UVB before you ordered the Reptizoo - those bulbs are not of good quality that is why I recommended the Reptisun or the Arcadia - Flukers basking bulbs can be ordered from Walmart - I just got some yesterday from them -- https://www.walmart.com/search?q=flukers basking bulb 100 watt&typeahead=flukersbasking
the reptisun 10.0 T 5 bulb https://www.pangeareptile.com/colle...d-reptisun-10-0-uvb-t5?variant=26907418591332

Arcadia 12% UVB T5 HO

Offering a significant increase in both visible light and UV output compared with T8 lamps of similar length. For Desert Species 12% UVB for the synthesis of vitamin D3 30% UVA Produces excellent natural colors 100%+ more visible light than equivalent length D3+ T8 lamp (un-reflected) 95% more...

www.pangeareptile.com

these bulbs are of good quality are recommended --

So we cancelled the order of the reptizoo UVB light and ordered the reptisun you recommended. Also, my family wanted to go to Walmart for groceries, so I tagged along to see the reptile section. Soo, this Walmart does not carry flukers basking bulb, but they carry Aqua culture basking bulb incandescent reptile lighting with 100 Watts. My family is considering it, but I wanted to know your thoughts. Also, will post photos when I get home.

 

[Sadie]

So we cancelled the order of the reptizoo UVB light and ordered the reptisun you recommended. Also, my family wanted to go to Walmart for groceries, so I tagged along to see the reptile section. Soo, this Walmart does not carry flukers basking bulb, but they carry Aqua culture basking bulb incandescent reptile lighting with 100 Watts. My family is considering it, but I wanted to know your thoughts. Also, will post photos when I get home.

Never heard of that brand - flukers is on their website - you will need to order them - or look at PetSmart or Petco - they usually carry them along w/ Exo terra intense they are spendy - another one is the reptisun basking I don't like them they tend to burn out faster- did you order the zoo med fixture w/ the reptisun 10.0 t 5 bulb?