He’s Basking in the Wrong Spot

ComicBookMama · Aug 26, 2019

What should I do when Figment chooses to bask in the wrong place? His basking spot is a high branch that hits 105, but he seems to prefer a lower branch that only reaches 97 or so. This morning he was basking under the UV tube. Should I move him to the better spot, trust that he knows what he needs, move the big branch so his preferred branch is in the spotlight, or what?

I’m actually wondering if the branches are too smooth for him to get a purchase on... watching and observing.

-Chris

MrSpectrum · Aug 26, 2019

Generally, I would say he knows what he needs/wants.

Is the UV-B close enough to the basking spot (or verse-vica) that he gets both in the recommended amounts when on the basking spot? If so, I wouldn't worry. I'd trust his parietal eye to do its thing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parietal_eye

KarrieRee · Aug 26, 2019

He will go to where he needs to go --- unless he is really sick and wont move dont worry about him - they will sit at different heat gradients if he can ---- trust him to do what he needs to do-- you dont haft to have the UVB and basking area in the same area --- mine does not and bounce back and forth between the two
Karrie

DorgEndo · Aug 26, 2019

Same here. I installed a camera last night so I can check what she really does.

She hangs out where it is mostly 90-95 °F for long periods of time. She is close enough to the T5 UVB tube , I agree with MrSpectrum on making sure the distance is ok for UVB. I have trusted her to regulate her heat. She gets in her hot spot sometimes.

Something I did for anything in my dragon's enclosure was gently hold her underneath letting her front arms hang, then let her claws drag across the wood/surface area of stuff inside. Gently because seeing if the claws catch on the material...my girl is pretty chill and she relaxes her hands when I test this. A grabbing dragon would show even better if the claws catch

if he is more active and wiggly.

ComicBookMama · Aug 26, 2019

I’ve got the basking lamp as close to the UV fixture as I can, but to my eye the light from them doesn’t overlap; the T8 UVB is mounted on the back wall, right corner, of my 40B tank; the basking lamp is right in front of it. The light from the UV fixture seems to go straight down rather than spreading out, but I bought it because it was a fixture designed for terrariums... this is what I have, but I put a Reptisun 10 in, instead of the included Zilla bulb.

Zilla Reptile Slimline Reptile Lighting Fixture with UVB Lamp, 18-Inches https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00780X1O2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_z3bzDb42CH3PX

DorgEndo · Aug 26, 2019

Does your T8 tube have a reflector? With a reflector the T8 light should be with 8-10 inches from your dragon's back for the best exposure. You could use a tape measure to measure the distance from light to areas your dragon hangs out at, as a straight line from tube part closest to where your dragon puts the middle of his back.

Maybe someone else can chime in? Moving the tube light to the front of the closure for better exposure as a possible option.

CooperDragon · Aug 26, 2019

The Zilla Slimline has a reflector built in. The clear plastic just needs to be removed from in front of the bulb before use. I agree that he will move around to get different temps and different UVB levels throughout the course of the day. As long as he has good options to choose from, I'd let him move about to get what he needs.

ComicBookMama · Aug 26, 2019

CooperDragon":33vh6nug said:
The Zilla Slimline has a reflector built in. The clear plastic just needs to be removed from in front of the bulb before use. I agree that he will move around to get different temps and different UVB levels throughout the course of the day. As long as he has good options to choose from, I'd let him move about to get what he needs.

Yes, the first thing I did was remove the plastic- stupid thing to have on a fixture for herps. I’ll measure out the distance from his favorite basking spot to the UV, but I feel much better having read these comments. Thank you all!

-Chris

He’s Basking in the Wrong Spot

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