Sleeping More, Eating Less

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ksk810

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Last week B started going to bed with all his lights still on at about 7:30 (usually it's lights out at 10) and sleeping for 12 hours. He was majorly shedding so I thought maybe that was why, but the behavior continued into this week. When I turn lights on in the morning he climbs back up on his rock and basks like normal (basking temp is 105 exactly, measured with digital probe).

He's eating some of his greens but this weekend he started eating fewer crickets than he usually does. Last week it was 15-20 twice a day, and now he's eating about 10 once a day and refusing them after that. He's also spending more time in his hide during the day. Never more than an hour at a time, but he didn't used to go in there at all. He's still pooping regularly (with plenty of urate, so he's well- hydrated) and has lots of energy when I get him out/when he's not sleeping or hiding. He's been kind of cranky, too, but he usually is that way when he's shedding. Should I be concerned? I haven't changed anything in the tank or about his routine.
 

ksk810

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I think he's about 3 months old (but unfortunately I got him from Petsmart so I'm just guessing based on size). I was looking through brumation posts for info but gathered that he's probably too young for that?
 

Claudiusx

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Yes he is definitely too young to brumate.

12 hours of sleep isnt too bad. 12 on 12 off is pretty typical as far as light schedules go

Have we already gone over your setup with you?

It sounds to me like the shedding just annoyed him even though it was last week. Just keep an eye on him and make sure your setup is fine and things should be good. :)

-Brandon
 

ksk810

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Original Poster
We haven't gone over setup- I don't have pictures right now but he's in a 30-gallon (75-gallon is being delivered tomorrow) tank with a basking spot on the right (not sure the exact distance the bulb is from him but the temp is 105 and there's a uvb bulb (coil, looking into buying a tube for the new tank) aimed to overlap with the basking spot. His cool side is 80 degrees. He has a store-bought hide and on the cool side I added some things for him to climb and they make another half-hide so to speak: not enclosed but sheltered from the light and behind a small "tree" so that he can't really be seen, if you can picture that.

He has reptiliner carpet for most of the tank and newspaper under his food bowl. The humidity unfortunately stays just below 40% most of the time no matter what I do (but I'm measuring it with a wall hygrometer so I'm not sure it's accurate).
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Basking temp is good but the UVB does need to be replaced-- coils are terrible - you can look at sunblaster fixtures and bulbs or Reptisun bulbs 10.0 a T 5 I would recommend for your 75 gallon--- please don't get full length of tank for UVB fixture-- recommended is 2/3 of tank--- my guess it's the UVB causing issues w/ your baby
-- he's not able to absorb nutrients w/ that coil UVB
Karrie
 

ksk810

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Original Poster
Thank you. I've had him in this new tank with the coil four about a month. Have I already caused irreversible damage or will he be okay once I get a stronger bulb?
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
I would get it changed out ASAP-- as long as he's moving and getting around ok that's good but it does seem to have affected the eating-- the sooner the better-
Karrie
 

ksk810

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Update: he actually ate more than his usual amount at his second feeding yesterday, so I think he's fine and I worry too much. But I'm still switching out his lighting this weekend to make sure he has enough UVB. Thank you!
 

ksk810

Member
Original Poster
Sorry, quick update:

I ordered a Reptisun t5 10.0 bulb, but it won't arrive until next Tuesday. Right now his coil uvb is suspended inside the tank (no wire or anything obstructing it) and it's 9 inches from where he sits on his basking rock. Since no one uses coil uvbs I can't find any info on a safe distance. Is this okay for now or should I change something just until the new bulb comes? I think the one I have now is 13W.
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
The 13 watts arent any good - basically hes getting no UVB --- are you in a place where you can take him outside for some direct sunlight? That is going to benefit him more than that coil----- 15 minutes outside in direct sunlight is = to 4 hrs of UVB--- you can put him in a plastic tote NO LID and NO glass it gets too hot -
Karrie
 

ksk810

Member
Original Poster
It's 65 out today. Is that too cold? I can take him out for a little bit each day until Tuesday but will he be okay until next week with the setup I have?
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
yes -- take him out --- 15 minutes of direct sunlight - do that everyday if you can --- its going to be warmer in the sun so --- find a good sunny spot --- and I would just shut the coil off if your taking him out ---
Karrie
 
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