What went wrong?

[cygbeardie]

We took our 1.5 yo beardie Poppy out in the backyard for some sun this afternoon. It’s a perfect day for it. She seemed really enjoying it in the playpen, which she doesn’t get to do much. Our backyard is quiet, a few fruit trees, and grass field with sun and shady areas. She was carefully moving around and decided to crawl out of the playpen checking things out. Suddenly she started running towards the fence area. I followed her and wanted to bring her back to where she was. Then the weirdest thing happened, she turned her head looking furious with her beard puffing out going completely black, and mouth opening up as if she’s ready to bite. I finally got her but she was so strong like never before and managed to get away. She had never done that to me before. A little background, she’s always very chill, mostly just eat and stay in one spot in her tank all day. She was more active when she was a baby, nowadays she’s just laying there except after a big poop she’s pretty active cruising around the tank. Usually when we take her out of the tank, she’d just find a spot behind the couch and hide or sleep. Today was really just to have her out in the sun for a change. Not sure what happened that got her to behave that way. Could it be she saw something frightening that I didn’t see coming? I finally was able to get her in the playpen and brought her back in the house, ‘cause there was no way she’d let me hold her. It took 20 min before her beard turned back to normal color and less puffed up. I fed her some wax worms for comfort. She’s ok now leaving me puzzled about what went wrong.

 

[Sadie]

We took our 1.5 yo beardie Poppy out in the backyard for some sun this afternoon. It’s a perfect day for it. She seemed really enjoying it in the playpen, which she doesn’t get to do much. Our backyard is quiet, a few fruit trees, and grass field with sun and shady areas. She was carefully moving around and decided to crawl out of the playpen checking things out. Suddenly she started running towards the fence area. I followed her and wanted to bring her back to where she was. Then the weirdest thing happened, she turned her head looking furious with her beard puffing out going completely black, and mouth opening up as if she’s ready to bite. I finally got her but she was so strong like never before and managed to get away. She had never done that to me before. A little background, she’s always very chill, mostly just eat and stay in one spot in her tank all day. She was more active when she was a baby, nowadays she’s just laying there except after a big poop she’s pretty active cruising around the tank. Usually when we take her out of the tank, she’d just find a spot behind the couch and hide or sleep. Today was really just to have her out in the sun for a change. Not sure what happened that got her to behave that way. Could it be she saw something frightening that I didn’t see coming? I finally was able to get her in the playpen and brought her back in the house, ‘cause there was no way she’d let me hold her. It took 20 min before her beard turned back to normal color and less puffed up. I fed her some wax worms for comfort. She’s ok now leaving me puzzled about what went wrong.

She saw something that scared her and w/ you chasing her got her more frightened-- keep her in the house for a few days so she can calm down --

 

[cygbeardie]

She saw something that scared her and w/ you chasing her got her more frightened-- keep her in the house for a few days so she can calm down --

Thanks Sadie. I’ll do that. Comes to think of it, is it normal that she stays in one spot all day except when I give her salad and roaches? She doesn’t shed nearly as much (last shed was a few weeks ago). She poops about once a week now, also much less frequent, but when she does it’s a big pile. She has good appetite, and can eat well. Any advice would be appreciated.
Cynthia

 

[Sadie]

Thanks Sadie. I’ll do that. Comes to think of it, is it normal that she stays in one spot all day except when I give her salad and roaches? She doesn’t shed nearly as much (last shed was a few weeks ago). She poops about once a week now, also much less frequent, but when she does it’s a big pile. She has good appetite, and can eat well. Any advice would be appreciated.
Cynthia

Is the spot her basking spot? As they get older they dont move around as much except maybe in the spring - my 3 year old goes nuts in the spring w/ glass surfing - hes in a 4x2x2 tank so I know its not the enclosure size - he does it for about a month or so then will calm down - I get him out for like 2 hrs per day when hes doing that sometimes it helps sometimes it doesnt - that is the only time hes really moving around however he will move around his tank at different spots as I have his main basking spot under the heat lamp warmest temps and another basking spot w/ the UVB that area is in the 90's and he will sit there for a good part of the morning then move to under the hot side on the floor of the tank - it is not uncommon for them to not poop for long periods of time mine dont poop for like 3-4 weeks sometimes and its a big pile as well -- just keep an eye on it that it has good white urate in it - that is telling you they are hydrated -- dragons shed at different times and w/ her being 1.5 yo she may go thru a growth spirt - she still has some growing to do -- good diet good basking temps and good UVB she will do fine- make sure your changing that UVB out when its time

 

[Rusty]

Is the spot her basking spot? As they get older they dont move around as much except maybe in the spring - my 3 year old goes nuts in the spring w/ glass surfing - hes in a 4x2x2 tank so I know its not the enclosure size - he does it for about a month or so then will calm down - I get him out for like 2 hrs per day when hes doing that sometimes it helps sometimes it doesnt - that is the only time hes really moving around however he will move around his tank at different spots as I have his main basking spot under the heat lamp warmest temps and another basking spot w/ the UVB that area is in the 90's and he will sit there for a good part of the morning then move to under the hot side on the floor of the tank - it is not uncommon for them to not poop for long periods of time mine dont poop for like 3-4 weeks sometimes and its a big pile as well -- just keep an eye on it that it has good white urate in it - that is telling you they are hydrated -- dragons shed at different times and w/ her being 1.5 yo she may go thru a growth spirt - she still has some growing to do -- good diet good basking temps and good UVB she will do fine- make sure your changing that UVB out when its time

My guy is 12 and is just like old man set in his ways he eats basks and at bed time puts himself to bed.
But he does have dif seasons, he is way mobile during breeding season, and way less active in winter, he doesn't brumation completely just gets lazy and naps for a week or 2, don't worry too much unless their are obvious signs of problems

 

[cygbeardie]

Is the spot her basking spot? As they get older they dont move around as much except maybe in the spring - my 3 year old goes nuts in the spring w/ glass surfing - hes in a 4x2x2 tank so I know its not the enclosure size - he does it for about a month or so then will calm down - I get him out for like 2 hrs per day when hes doing that sometimes it helps sometimes it doesnt - that is the only time hes really moving around however he will move around his tank at different spots as I have his main basking spot under the heat lamp warmest temps and another basking spot w/ the UVB that area is in the 90's and he will sit there for a good part of the morning then move to under the hot side on the floor of the tank - it is not uncommon for them to not poop for long periods of time mine dont poop for like 3-4 weeks sometimes and its a big pile as well -- just keep an eye on it that it has good white urate in it - that is telling you they are hydrated -- dragons shed at different times and w/ her being 1.5 yo she may go thru a growth spirt - she still has some growing to do -- good diet good basking temps and good UVB she will do fine- make sure your changing that UVB out when its time

Sorry Sadie for the delayed response. I was traveling. Thanks a lot for your great advice. We have a mercury vapor light bulb (expires Feb’22) in a big size sun dome sitting on corner top of the lid. Poppy goes there after eating, but not for long she’ll move to the other side and stay there most of the day, which is definitely cooler. Sometimes I’m worried that she may not get enough basking. But she usually eats well if she’s hungry. I just wish she’s more active. Have scheduled a check up for her.
Cynthia

 

[Sadie]

Sorry Sadie for the delayed response. I was traveling. Thanks a lot for your great advice. We have a mercury vapor light bulb (expires Feb’22) in a big size sun dome sitting on corner top of the lid. Poppy goes there after eating, but not for long she’ll move to the other side and stay there most of the day, which is definitely cooler. Sometimes I’m worried that she may not get enough basking. But she usually eats well if she’s hungry. I just wish she’s more active. Have scheduled a check up for her.
Cynthia

She should be basking at least 4 hrs per day -- what brand mvb are you using? Do you have a extra uvb in the tank? Long tube uvb?

 

[cygbeardie]

She should be basking at least 4 hrs per day -- what brand mvb are you using? Do you have a extra uvb in the tank? Long tube uvb?

It’s ReptiSun. We don’t have an extra uvb tube in the tank? Should I get one and place it on the side she likes to lay around?

 

[Sadie]

It’s ReptiSun. We don’t have an extra uvb tube in the tank? Should I get one and place it on the side she likes to lay around?

Yes -- get either a 18 or a 24 inch fixture - the 18 is going to be a T 8 but I would go w/ the 24" Zoo Med and get the 10.0 bulb that would be a T 5 -- depending on your screen the T 5 can sit on top but it MUST BE a wide hole type of screen --- no fine mesh the mesh will block 30 % of the rays -- the 24" will come w/ a 5.0 bulb keep it for a back up the placement and distance for those is different from the T 5 -- it is basically a T 8 -- when you get whichever one your gonna go w/ let me know I will help you get it placed correctly --
The MVB is a Reptisun ? Wattage and where do you have it? Top of screen ? Hanging over the screen unobstructed from a stand?

 

[cygbeardie]

Yes -- get either a 18 or a 24 inch fixture - the 18 is going to be a T 8 but I would go w/ the 24" Zoo Med and get the 10.0 bulb that would be a T 5 -- depending on your screen the T 5 can sit on top but it MUST BE a wide hole type of screen --- no fine mesh the mesh will block 30 % of the rays -- the 24" will come w/ a 5.0 bulb keep it for a back up the placement and distance for those is different from the T 5 -- it is basically a T 8 -- when you get whichever one your gonna go w/ let me know I will help you get it placed correctly --
The MVB is a Reptisun ? Wattage and where do you have it? Top of screen ? Hanging over the screen unobstructed from a stand?

Yes the MVB is Reptisun 100 watt (should last a year from February’21). It’s sitting on top of the screen. I’ll get a T5 24” tube. See attached pic, Hope it’s the right one. Sometimes I have to put her on the hot spot and she’ll stay there a while otherwise she lays mostly where she wakes up on the cool side.

 

[Sadie]

Yes the MVB is Reptisun 100 watt (should last a year from February’21). It’s sitting on top of the screen. I’ll get a T5 24” tube. See attached pic, Hope it’s the right one. Sometimes I have to put her on the hot spot and she’ll stay there a while otherwise she lays mostly where she wakes up on the cool side.

Please post a pic of the tank and lighting -- I am confused as to what your using- I cant figure out if you have a basking bulb or your talking about the UVB ------- you need a bright white basking bulb that looks like this
or similar to https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/en...nse-basking-spot-light-14809.html?cgid=500202 this is a basking bulb---
or what you posted---

 

[cygbeardie]

Please post a pic of the tank and lighting -- I am confused as to what your using- I cant figure out if you have a basking bulb or your talking about the UVB ------- you need a bright white basking bulb that looks like this
or similar to https://www.petsmart.com/reptile/en...nse-basking-spot-light-14809.html?cgid=500202 this is a basking bulb---
or what you posted---

Here’s a pic of the tank. It is the big basking mvb with both UVA and UVB. The two other ones next to it are turned off because it’s too hot for her.

 

[Sadie]

Here’s a pic of the tank. It is the big basking mvb with both UVA and UVB. The two other ones next to it are turned off because it’s too hot for her.

Do you have the box for the mvb? Is it a power sun or better yet look on the bulb it will tell you brand of bulb- she needs a hide please check PetSmart they have nice decor- and you need a fixture for the long tube uvb-https://www.pangeareptile.com/collections/light-fixtures/products/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-hood?variant=26907425734756. This comes w/ a 5.0 bulb keep it for back up placement and distance would be different from the 10.0 T 5

 

[cygbeardie]

Do you have the box for the mvb? Is it a power sun or better yet look on the bulb it will tell you brand of bulb- she needs a hide please check PetSmart they have nice decor- and you need a fixture for the long tube uvb-https://www.pangeareptile.com/collections/light-fixtures/products/zoo-med-reptisun-t5-hood?variant=26907425734756. This comes w/ a 5.0 bulb keep it for back up placement and distance would be different from the 10.0 T 5

Sorry Sadie my husband told me wrong. It’s Mega Ray 160w. See attached.

 

[Dino4242]

We took our 1.5 yo beardie Poppy out in the backyard for some sun this afternoon. It’s a perfect day for it. She seemed really enjoying it in the playpen, which she doesn’t get to do much. Our backyard is quiet, a few fruit trees, and grass field with sun and shady areas. She was carefully moving around and decided to crawl out of the playpen checking things out. Suddenly she started running towards the fence area. I followed her and wanted to bring her back to where she was. Then the weirdest thing happened, she turned her head looking furious with her beard puffing out going completely black, and mouth opening up as if she’s ready to bite. I finally got her but she was so strong like never before and managed to get away. She had never done that to me before. A little background, she’s always very chill, mostly just eat and stay in one spot in her tank all day. She was more active when she was a baby, nowadays she’s just laying there except after a big poop she’s pretty active cruising around the tank. Usually when we take her out of the tank, she’d just find a spot behind the couch and hide or sleep. Today was really just to have her out in the sun for a change. Not sure what happened that got her to behave that way. Could it be she saw something frightening that I didn’t see coming? I finally was able to get her in the playpen and brought her back in the house, ‘cause there was no way she’d let me hold her. It took 20 min before her beard turned back to normal color and less puffed up. I fed her some wax worms for comfort. She’s ok now leaving me puzzled about what went wrong.

Hello. how often do you take Poppy out side? My female opens her mouth at me and turns black out side too. He might of just heard a bird or wasnt use to the outdoors. Is ur house/room dark when you let him out inside? How often do you hold Poppy?

 

[Sadie]

Sorry Sadie my husband told me wrong. It’s Mega Ray 160w. See attached.

Ok the Mega Ray 160 should be approx 14-16 inches away thru a screen ------------what is the distance yours is at? I would recommend getting the extra UVB you can place it either in the middle of your tank w/a set up of a extra basking spot or on the cool side of the tank as well -- but you want it so she has the option of getting that UVB-- Mega Rays are good bulbs but a lot of times they dont emit enough UVB and if its going thru a screen and that far away the dragon is not getting enough UVB - the screen blocks the rays and the distance doesnt help either

 

[cygbeardie]

Ok the Mega Ray 160 should be approx 14-16 inches away thru a screen ------------what is the distance yours is at? I would recommend getting the extra UVB you can place it either in the middle of your tank w/a set up of a extra basking spot or on the cool side of the tank as well -- but you want it so she has the option of getting that UVB-- Mega Rays are good bulbs but a lot of times they dont emit enough UVB and if its going thru a screen and that far away the dragon is not getting enough UVB - the screen blocks the rays and the distance doesnt help either

Hi Sadie, just checked, the distance is about 15” away through the screen. My husband is thinking about cutting a hole on the screen where the mvb is so it’ll be more direct. Will also get the tube along the side.

 

[cygbeardie]

Hello. how often do you take Poppy out side? My female opens her mouth at me and turns black out side too. He might of just heard a bird or wasnt use to the outdoors. Is ur house/room dark when you let him out inside? How often do you hold Poppy?

Hi, You’re right. She must have been scared of something. I don’t take her outside very often, which is probably why she had that reaction. The room isn’t dark but with California bright sun light it’s always an adjustment. I don’t hold her daily, as she doesn’t seem to like to be held, but I don’t take her out of the tank and let cross around the house, which she usually ends up hiding under the couch not wanting to get out.