Basking and appetite decreased

[Jnylnd45]

Hello, my Beardie Mocha has always basked on her rock and been an excellent insect eater. I would hand feed her crickets daily sometimes 20 or 30 a day. Always provided collards and mixed up other veggies. She never was a big veggie eater. Within the last month her eating has decreased and she wants to stay in her cave. I just took the cave out to make her get some heat. She has been giving warm baths two to three times a week and has healthy bowel movements usually every time but now it has been once a week. She turned 1 year a month ago. Could she be trying to go into brumation this late in the Spring?

 

[KarrieRee]

Hello, my Beardie Mocha has always basked on her rock and been an excellent insect eater. I would hand feed her crickets daily sometimes 20 or 30 a day. Always provided collards and mixed up other veggies. She never was a big veggie eater. Within the last month her eating has decreased and she wants to stay in her cave. I just took the cave out to make her get some heat. She turned 1 year a month ago. Could she be trying to go into brumation this late in the Spring?

Its hard to say till we rule some things out like lighting UVB coil or a long tube fixture ? Basking temps what are they and how are you taking them? Stick ons are ambient temp only - you want a digital probe thermometer temps should be 95-100--- incorrect lighting can cause brumation like behavior especially basking temps

 

[Jnylnd45]

Its hard to say till we rule some things out like lighting UVB coil or a long tube fixture ? Basking temps what are they and how are you taking them? Stick ons are ambient temp only - you want a digital probe thermometer temps should be 95-100--- incorrect lighting can cause brumation like behavior especially basking temps

She has a Arcadia 36 inch hood with T10 reptisun bulb, her basking light is 100 w in about ten inch reflective dome. The bulb is a Thrive bulb. I have a digital probe that reaches 95 to 100 when she is on her basking rock. If I take her cave that puts her in the bottom because it is also her basking rock so the bottom will be in the 80’s on the warm side of cage

 

[KarrieRee]

She has a Arcadia 36 inch hood with T10 reptisun bulb, her basking light is 100 w in about ten inch reflective dome. The bulb is a Thrive bulb. I have a digital probe that reaches 95 to 100 when she is on her basking rock. If I take her cave that puts her in the bottom because it is also her basking rock so the bottom will be in the 80’s on the warm side of cage

Is the UVB on top of the screen or inside the tank ? Is your screen a fine mesh like a screen door or a wide hole type? Cool side of the tank should be in the 80's during the day and middle of your tank should be 90's - surface basking temps are good

 

[Jnylnd45]

Is the UVB on top of the screen or inside the tank ? Is your screen a fine mesh like a screen door or a wide hole type? Cool side of the tank should be in the 80's during the day and middle of your tank should be 90's - surface basking temps are good

Okay just checked on her and she moved to the cool side? Cool side is at 80. At least she was awake since out of her cave. I broke down and gave her two blueberries just to know she ate something, they are her favorite. The screen’s definitely like mesh. I wish I could get her a terrarium like Fire and Ice breaded dragons have. Wanted this one to be her second to last. Went from 10, 20 and now 40 gallon. We are moving in a year and wanted to get her final one after we move but now I don’t know? I took everything out a couple of days ago and she did good with her crickets. Seems like every third day if I empty it out she will eat pretty descent

 

[KarrieRee]

Okay just checked on her and she moved to the cool side? Cool side is at 80. At least she was awake since out of her cave. I broke down and gave her two blueberries just to know she ate something, they are her favorite. The screen’s definitely like mesh. I wish I could get her a terrarium like Fire and Ice breaded dragons have. Wanted this one to be her second to last. Went from 10, 20 and now 40 gallon. We are moving in a year and wanted to get her final one after we move but now I don’t know? I took everything out a couple of days ago and she did good with her crickets. Seems like every third day if I empty it out she will eat pretty descent

Ok so your uvb needs to be unobstructed - take your screen off or take the uvb and place it width wise on one end w/ your screen butted up to the uvb fixture-- or cut the screen either way it should be unobstructed place a piece of basking decor directly underneath 12-15 inches - the thrive bulb is it a clear solid bright white basking bulb? Not a coil one correct?

 

[Jnylnd45]

Ok so your uvb needs to be unobstructed - take your screen off or take the uvb and place it width wise on one end w/ your screen butted up to the uvb fixture-- or cut the screen either way it should be unobstructed place a piece of basking decor directly underneath 12-15 inches - the thrive bulb is it a clear solid bright white basking bulb? Not a coil one correct?

Not a coil one. Sending pic, tell me what you think? Screen only extended out about three inches , I think it will be safe

 

[Jnylnd45]

Not a coil one. Sending pic, tell me what you think? Screen only extended out about three inches , I think it will be safe

Boy her eyes are wide open now! Like she is seeing the daylight

 

[KarrieRee]

Boy her eyes are wide open now! Like she is seeing the daylight

Ok it looks good -- was she not opening her eyes before? Her appetite should increase w/ the full UVB rays shes getting now - just remember to change the bulb out in approx 1 year from install I recommend a month prior to

 

[Jnylnd45]

Ok it looks good -- was she not opening her eyes before? Her appetite should increase w/ the full UVB rays shes getting now - just remember to change the bulb out in approx 1 year from install I recommend a month prior to

She had them open when she was out of her cave but she just looks more alert. She ate about 10 crickets. She’s in her cave but now she’s awake. Before when she was in it she would sleep for hours and I would have to pull her out

 

[Jnylnd45]

Her right now

 

[Jnylnd45]

Is it bad she never wants to drink water? Is she getting it in insects? Or fruit and veggies when she decides to take a bite, horrible veggie eater

 

[KarrieRee]

Is it bad she never wants to drink water? Is she getting it in insects? Or fruit and veggies when she decides to take a bite, horrible veggie eater

they get most of their hydration from salads -- please drop some water on her nose if she licks keep dripping till she stops - you can also try a bath - if she starts gulping the water pull her up so she does not aspirate - let her drink a little at a time

 

[Jnylnd45]

they get most of their hydration from salads -- please drop some water on her nose if she licks keep dripping till she stops - you can also try a bath - if she starts gulping the water pull her up so she does not aspirate - let her drink a little at a time

Tried both of those over the months. Little stinker keeps her mouth shut like a trapped door! They definitely have their own weird ways! Do not go by the text book. Bought black fly larvae once and when I rinsed them they plumped a little with water. Think maybe that gave her some eating those. I hate having to smooch the flies when they turn maybe I could order smaller quantity so she eats them before they are able to

 

[SPandS]

Just feed the flies. Most dragons love trying to catch them.