Adult Basking Temp

[jsnsan]

So, Saphira is now over a year old. Eating more veggies, and a bit less protein. She's been spending a lot more time in the cool side of her tank. Her basking spot is about 101-103 during the day. Should I lower the temp to 95 or so? Or is it normal for her to spend more time in the cool area now?

 

[NikTait]

That's still a fine temperature for an adult beardie. But they can all vary in terms of personal preference. Maybe try lowering it to around 95 and see if she spends more time there and does prefer it. Do you ever see her gaping now? What's her cool end temp?

 

[jsnsan]

No. I haven't seen her gape since she was little with even higher temps. Cool side is 81...measuring with temp gun.

 

[NikTait]

If she's not gaping then it doesn't sound like the basking spot is too hot. Do you feel that she acts healthy and normal otherwise? How close is your uvb to the basking spot, what brand is it and when was it last replaced? When you say she spends a lot of time in the cool spot, could you give more details please? Does she spend a few hours basking and then move away? Just trying to establish if it's normal behaviour or if she is really excessively hiding away from the heat or light. When she goes to the cool spot, does she still sit in the open, or does she find a hide and seek shade?

 

[jsnsan]

She used to spend almost her entire time on her basking rock. She has the reptisun .10 mounted inside, at the top of her 40 breeder tank 6-8 inches away...depending on where she is sitting on her rock. She basks in the morning, gets down and eats her salad once she is warm. Then climbs back to her basking spot. I feed her insects and she will stay for a couple hrs. Then in the afternoon, she will spend probably from 1-5 in the cool spot. I feed her a new salad, then back up to bask for a couple hrs. Then she usually hangs with us still bedtime. I'm just not used to this mid afternoon nap on the cool side I guess. No, she's not hiding. Just hanging out on her other rock. Her reptisun was replaced in December. Will be replaced again in June.

 

[jsnsan]

Oh. And yes, she seems healthy otherwise. And she's not really napping on the cool side. She's just hanging out. Alert, and watching the world to by.

 

[NikTait]

That sounds perfectly fine then, to me. The fact she is going up to bask at all the right times and is still alert is really reassuring. I honestly wouldn't worry If she starts to act lethargic or hide or anything abnormal, come back and let us know again. But from what you're describing, she sounds happy and healthy

 

[jsnsan]

Ok good. Just making sure! My little girl is growing up...sniff :wink: