3-4 month old beardie suddenly started hiding in his cave

[djsport10]

Hi, brand new beardie owner here and I'm worried. 4 days ago when i got home from work (normal 8-5 job) my beardie (Ozzie) was hiding in his rock cave. I took him out for his evening meal and he was just very slow and inactive. He only ate 2 pieces of greens and when I put him back in the tank, he hardly moved except to position for sleeping that night.

This has been happening for a few days now. He has been popping regularly and eating his crickets in the morning, but I am very concerned because baby beardies aren't known for brumation.

The weather has been fluctuating quite a bit in Texas, and i wonder if that has something to do with it.

I am worried something might be wrong, what should I do?

Thanks!

 

[KarrieRee]

Please post pics and tank set up-- go to top of page click on user image uploader - down load pics- click on reply at top of message box click on XIMG pics will post
Karrie

 

[djsport10]

It's nothing fancy, but it works for now

 

[KarrieRee]

First off please get rid of the red light - colored lights hurt their eyes and can cause long term damage- second the UVB I am guessing its a coil? Where did you get your beardie? What are his basking temps and what are you taking temps w/? Probe thermometers are ok but its best to take them w/ a Infrared gun. You can get those at Walmart Home Depot for like $10-- is he not basking? Are you dusting his crickets w/ calcium D3 5 x per week and vitamins 2 x per week? The lighting for your tank is crucial-- it regulates their digestive and bones - w/out the proper UVB he will develop MBD-- The correct lighting you need for him for UVB is this-- Reptisun 10 T5, or the Arcadia D3 12% or 14% T5 tube, both of which are very good. You will
need a T5 light fixture also. Can you send a photo of your dragon please?
Karrie

 

[djsport10]

Thanks for the information. Now I guess it's time to spend some money and get the right setup.
I have the reptisun 10.0 UVB bulb. I got Ozzie at PetSmart. The temps are 90 on the basking side, and low 80s on the cool side. Im just using some cheap thermometers on the sides of the tank. I have been dusting his veggies at night with calcium. However, I just realized that it does not have D3, so I will be switching and dusting crickets as well. And why the T5 fixture? Will the deep dome double fixture not work?

What about the behaivor? Is it habitat related?

Thanks!

 

[KarrieRee]

Yes habitat is crucial- the lighting- you can go w/ a reptison long tube light/ fixture- the higher the uvb rays the better- most uvbs r placed in side the tank-- 6- 8 inches from dragon-- basking temps for a baby should be warmer than 90- but you need accurate temp- that's why I suggested a infrared heat gun-- I would also recommend switching him to dubias roaches-- they r easier to care for they don't stink and they don't give parasites-- you can order them,online from Amazon or try to get them from your pet store- they can be kept in a plastic tote or 10 gallon aquarium and feed them dubias food along w/ carrots squash apple sweet potato for water- all of which your dragon will eat
Karrie

 

[KarrieRee]

Yes habitat is crucial- the lighting- you can go w/ a reptison long tube light/ fixture- the higher the uvb rays the better- most uvbs r placed in side the tank-- 6- 8 inches from dragon-- basking temps for a baby should be warmer than 90- but you need accurate temp- that's why I suggested a infrared heat gun-- I would also recommend switching him to dubias roaches-- they r easier to care for they don't stink and they don't give parasites-- you can order them,online from Amazon or try to get them from your pet store- they can be kept in a plastic tote or 10 gallon aquarium and feed them dubias food along w/ carrots squash apple sweet potato for water- all of which your dragon will eat
Karrie

 

[djsport10]

I will definitely get adequate lighting for the tank and a heat gun. As far as roaches, I think ill pass. Ozzie likes the crickets well enough and I'm not comfortable with roaches.

Do you think that is all it is causing his strange behavior?

 

[KarrieRee]

Its a start- some one else can chime in on his behavior but lighting plays a big role in their behavior-- get that fixed and go from where-- what kind of he goes are u feeding him? There is a nutrition list on the feeding board click on the link and check it out- gives other info as well
Karrie

 

[KarrieRee]

Ugh I was having issues w/ my phone last nite- what kind of vegies are you feeding him? You dont need to dust his vegies if your doing the crickets-- and once he starts eating his vegies routinely and your giving variety he will get what he needs out of that and w/ the once or 2 times / week w/ the crickets at that point you can still dust- same w/ the vitamins
Karrie