Hello, I've had my Beardie for a little over a month now and so far he has settled in and started eating good and has begun eating salads regularly. But in the last two days I've noticed that he seems like his belly is full of air. He is still pooping twice a day and eating normal and he has been very active. He has also started gaping a lot in the last couple hours which he hasn't really done much of before
Tank set up:
20 gallon tank
Paper towel for substrate
75 watt basking bulb
Long 10.0 T8 reptisun bulb mounted 8 inches from the main basking spot and does NOT have any screen under it.
Digital probes for temp taking
The basking spot stays about 102-110 depending on the amount of airflow in the room (door open or shut).
The cool side is about 79 degrees on average.
The nighttime temps are about 70-72 degrees.
Several hides/branches and a shallow water dish.
Could he be getting ready to shed and that's the reason for the intense bloating all the sudden? He is doing this during the middle of the day and deflates at night.
Ok so you got a good set up going - your plastic cover is off the UVB bulb meaning its exposed correct? And distance is good- the gaping is normal hes thermoglating --- the puffing up could be hes stretching his skin and getting ready to shed -- he is cute --- and so glad to hear hes eating his salads too I will say hes gonna need a bigger tank soon--- they grow fast and he will outgrow that tank -- I would start looking for a 75-120 gallon tank w/ front doors --- 40 gallon is minimum and will eventually out grow that as well --- you can check FB marketplace and craigslist for tanks -- if you find one there make sure you sanitize it real good - Wipe Out from Zoo Med --
Karrie