Open Mouth (not in a regulating way).

Sarcysod

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Mad Sweeney
Hi, I hope everyone is well. I got Mad Sweeney about a month ago and he has started opening his mouth in a strange way. It is not a constant thing... he can open his mouth fully, eats normally (when he decides to eat) and thermoregulates in a 'normal' mouth position.

I've attached a picture of him doing it just as he's about to nod off. Any ideas on why??

I'm planning a trip to the vets with him for a general check up.... But this will only be in a fortnight, as I've only just got him insured and they don't cover anything in the first 14 days. 😑😑

He's not eaten much since I've got him, but his weight hasn't dropped (he's about 540g), he started shedding on his leg last weekend, but nothing since, he's lively, seems hydrated enough (water through a syringe and skin pinch tested), poops fine and bright eyed. He can be a bit of a knob at times, but can't we all. πŸ€”πŸ˜„

Also, if anyone gets a chance, could you please have a quick look at the setup and see if anything needs changing. Temps and UVB levels are good... I'm not too happy about the basking light being so close to the basking spot, but it's on a thermostat and doesn't seem to be bothering him.

Thanks for all your help in advance, I hope you and all your scaly puppies are doing well. I don't think I've wrote this much since I was at school!! πŸ˜„πŸ˜„

Jamie.
 

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Sarcysod

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Mad Sweeney
Hi Jamie, your set up looks very nice and well done ! The only thing to do is get the basking bulb up higher, at that close proximity it can easily burn him.

As for shed, they only shed patches over a length of time as adults so he likely JUST started shedding his tail and there WAS NO other shed , so he has not been eating it.
That's good to know about the shed, thank you. With the basking light, that's as high as it will go, so my only option at the minute would be to put a shorter basking platform there... Maybe even just a couple of slate tiles. Ideally I'd like to drill a hole in the top of the viv, attach a circular metal grill and rest the bulb on there. I'll have to see how confident I'm feeling with my DIY skills. πŸ™ˆπŸ™ˆπŸ™ˆπŸ˜„
 

xp29

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Photo Comp Winner
Beardie name(s)
Zen , Ruby ,Snicker Doodles, Sweet Pea, Sinatra
Be careful with slate (or any rock for that matter) the can hold the heat and get really really hot. Don't want to keep from burning him over head just to burn him underneath πŸ€”πŸ™‚
 

Sarcysod

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Mad Sweeney
Be careful with slate (or any rock for that matter) the can hold the heat and get really really hot. Don't want to keep from burning him over head just to burn him underneath πŸ€”πŸ™‚
May buy him another hammock and use that. Will have a scour of the internet today and see what's out there!! πŸ‘πŸ‘
 

Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello,

He is looking better right now! I agree, try to adjust the height of the basking bulb, or as suggested
try to get another hammock to help with the distance.
The tank overall looks nice for him.

Tracie
 

Sarcysod

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Mad Sweeney
Hello,

He is looking better right now! I agree, try to adjust the height of the basking bulb, or as suggested
try to get another hammock to help with the distance.
The tank overall looks nice for him.

Tracie
Cheers Tracie, I'm off to a reptile shop tomorrow so I'll see what I can pick up. If there's nothing there, I'll follow KarrieRees advice and go for Etsy. πŸ‘πŸ‘ Jamie
 

Drache613

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
Hello!

Great, you should have some luck at the Reptile store. Post a picture if you find something. Etsy
is also a neat place to look around, too.
How is your dragon doing today?

Tracie
 

Sarcysod

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Mad Sweeney
Hello!

Great, you should have some luck at the Reptile store. Post a picture if you find something. Etsy
is also a neat place to look around, too.
How is your dragon doing today?

Tracie
Hi Tracie, he seems to be doing a lot better... I've not seen the 'Elvis' lip for a couple of days! Went to the reptile shop and they had everything you could have wished for... except for hammocks 😑. I've ordered a seagrass one from eBay that should be coming in a couple of days. It's similar to one he has at the moment and sits on it quite leisurely. He is also heavily shedding now πŸ‘.
 

Sarcysod

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Mad Sweeney
I've always purchased "ferret hammocks" they're soft but can withstand heat. Less likely for your beardies nails to get caught in.
Hi Jjurovaty, I've ended up ordering him a seagrass one from eBay (should arrive in a couple of days). It's similar to one he has at the minute and he seems comfortable with it. Fingers crossed he doesn't sulk about it. πŸ˜„
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Hi Tracie, he seems to be doing a lot better... I've not seen the 'Elvis' lip for a couple of days! Went to the reptile shop and they had everything you could have wished for... except for hammocks 😑. I've ordered a seagrass one from eBay that should be coming in a couple of days. It's similar to one he has at the moment and sits on it quite leisurely. He is also heavily shedding now πŸ‘.
Sea grass ones will catch the nails - I would go w/ a fleece or cloth found on Etsy or pamperedbeardies
 

Sarcysod

Member
Original Poster
Beardie name(s)
Mad Sweeney
Bah i forgot to attach the pic of the container lol πŸ˜† they offer calcium and vitamins both.
Hi Xp...I purchased some of the exoterra liquid calcium at the weekend. So far Mad Sweeney has taken to it and he seems to be doing well. Cheers for the suggestions. πŸ‘πŸ‘
 

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