Bearded dragon opens mouth?

[tedrickrumohr]

I just bought a new beardie from the Herp World Expo in San Jose. Of course I understand that from relocation stress, their behavior is abnormal for a bit. But I just wanted to be 100% sure it's just relocation stress. So if there could be any other possible reasons please let me know! I spray her veggies with water, and have a water dish in her tank.. So let me know if anything's up. My basking spot is 103 and my cool spot is 88

 

[durps]

is the dragon opening her mouth while basking? if so, it's called venting.
when the human body starts to get too hot, the body cools it off by sweating. since dragons don't sweat, they cool off by "venting". when they vent, they expel some of their body heat through their mouths to regulate the body temperature. if your dragon is always venting while basking, then i suggest you try a lower wattage basking bulb because it might be too hot. if it vents a couple times a day then thats fine.
have you checked your temps with a temperature probe or temp gun?

 

[tedrickrumohr]

is the dragon opening her mouth while basking? if so, it's called venting.
when the human body starts to get too hot, the body cools it off by sweating. since dragons don't sweat, they cool off by "venting". when they vent, they expel some of their body heat through their mouths to regulate the body temperature. if your dragon is always venting while basking, then i suggest you try a lower wattage basking bulb because it might be too hot. if it vents a couple times a day then thats fine.
have you checked your temps with a temperature probe or temp gun?

I temp is usually in the low 90's at the hot spot and my tank is pretty wide with lots of shade, but yes, she does vent a few times while basking. I have 2 girls together same size, and still babies. One of them only vents a few times a day.

 

[Glen]

Your basking spot should be hotter than that.

 

[ClydesGirl]

You mentioned that you have two housed together? The gaping could also be a sign of aggression. And the previous poster is correct, you want your basking temps to be in the low 100's. What are you using to measure the temps?

 

[tedrickrumohr]

I am using a temp gun, and I am aware that the temp is lower than it should be :/ My mom thinks that the light uses too much electricity and I try to keep it on whenever she isn't home, or not paying attention.

 

[Warrior]

I am using a temp gun, and I am aware that the temp is lower than it should be :/ My mom thinks that the light uses too much electricity and I try to keep it on whenever she isn't home, or not paying attention.

This should have been discussed and agreed upon prior to purchasing the Dragon, the correct environment and temperatures are essential to the Dragons health.

 

[Toyguy]

I am using a temp gun, and I am aware that the temp is lower than it should be :/ My mom thinks that the light uses too much electricity and I try to keep it on whenever she isn't home, or not paying attention.

This should have been discussed and agreed upon prior to purchasing the Dragon, the correct environment and temperatures are essential to the Dragons health.

Couldn't agree more! The dragon needs 100-105 degrees for basking about 10-12 hours a day, every day. Anything less is simply irresponsible. You have a duty to the animal to provide the correct habitat. If your parents won't allow that, you need to find a home for the animal that will.

 

[tedrickrumohr]

I am using a temp gun, and I am aware that the temp is lower than it should be :/ My mom thinks that the light uses too much electricity and I try to keep it on whenever she isn't home, or not paying attention.

This should have been discussed and agreed upon prior to purchasing the Dragon, the correct environment and temperatures are essential to the Dragons health.

Couldn't agree more! The dragon needs 100-105 degrees for basking about 10-12 hours a day, every day. Anything less is simply irresponsible. You have a duty to the animal to provide the correct habitat. If your parents won't allow that, you need to find a home for the animal that will.

I understand how to take care of a bearded dragon. I would never let anyone else have my dragons. I just bought a reptiglo 10.0. Have a hot spot of 103 and a cool spot of 90

 

[BryanaE]

So we did some experimentation with multiple temp guns and the bulb we had still produced the same amount of heat as the new one. The gun Ted was using is way off. Their hot and cool spots are at ideal temperatures and I don't think it is a sign of aggression as these are both juvies. I am thinking durps is correct with his assessment and they are trying to expel heat. They don't vent a lot we just have never had a dragon who did so it was a little alarming at first.

Thanks guys.

PS- No matter what the dragons DO and always had gotten around 10 hours in that temp.

 

[MrHM1020]

My dragon opens its mouth while basking as well. I hear that that is its way of cooling off and helps metabolism. It doesnt do it often just a couple of times a day (2-3), then it just sits there. My basking spot is around 104-106 for my baby beardie. And the cool is around high 80s low 90's. Is this normal? Or should i lower the heat emitted from my basking lamp bulb?