Baby Doesn't Move to Basking Area on Own

[Kellsterk]

We have had our baby for only a week and a half so he is now about 7 1/2 weeks old. At night he moves to other areas other than basking area to sleep. His lights are set on a timer to come on at 9:00 am. Each morning around 10:00 I have had to move him to the basking area so he warms up to become interested in eating. Today I decided to wait to see when/if he'd move on his own as he obviously won't eat until warmed up. It is currently noon three hours after basking light on and he is still laying in the spot he slept (he is awake). At noon the cool side where he is is 79 degrees and basking spot is 104 degrees measured with temp gun. Do I leave him to do this on his own when he is ready or do I move him? Is this normal?

Set up info:
Habitat: 40 gallon breeder
UVB: Reptisun 10
Basking Bulb: GE Energy Efficient 90-125W Indoor/Outdoor Halogen Flood Light
Cool Side Light: regular 25W clear household bulb
Substrate: Non-adhesive shelf liner

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from General to Health

 

[destiny1998]

Hi. Do you know the temps on the basking surface? If so how do you take them? It might be to to hot in the basking spot. I use a 75watt halogen flood bulb in all 3 of my beardies tanks and the temps are 100 to 105 so I would definitely retake the temps.

 

[Kellsterk]

Hello and thank you for responding. When I took the basking temp at noon (3 hours after light came on) it was 104 taken with infrared heat gun. This light is on a dimmer which I increased a little this afternoon and temp is currently 107.

I finally had to move him again today to his basking spot even though he was definitely awake.

I'm happy to do this but my concern is I return to work in a month and don't know if he'd ever move to basking spot on his own.

I also know his overnight temps are definitely not dropping below 65. Do I get a CHE anyway??

 

[destiny1998]

They like to cool down at night. So I would not use it. Thats good you have a temp gun and the temps sound good

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

The Reptisun 10, is it the tube bulb? How close is the UVB to him?
Can you post a picture of his tank setup for us?
He is very young so he should be happy to bask without having to be moved there.
That is great you are using a temp gun to measure the temperatures, they should be fine for him in the 40 gallon tank.
The basking light sounds fine, is it coated with neodymium by chance, can you check?

Tracie

 

[Kellsterk]

Thanks for responding and trying to help us! We are using the tube style Reptisun 10. His basking spot is 8-8 1/2 inches from the UVB. Here is a pic of his set up.




The packaging of the basking light does not indicate that the bulb is coated with neodymium so I assume it is not. Here is a pic of the bulb packaging.




Again, thank you for your help!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Those are halogens so they wont be coated with neodymium, which are fine!
Have you double checked his temperatures to be sure they are all good?
The Reptisun 10 tube bulb is mounted on the back of the tank correct & not directly overhead?
If possible, that needs to be changed to being directly overhead for him. It can cause too much glare into his eyes & he may not want to bask.
How is he doing today?

Tracie