Beardie has been dark for a month or so!

[DragonDMagnet]

My has my beardie been dark for about a month now! He is really really dark and no matter what I do he stays dark! I cleaned his whole tank with soap and water and also his bowls. He turned as bright as the sun but after that day he turned back dark. I don't know whats wrong with him. I even tried giving him natural sun light and he turns bright very slowly but not all the way. Can someone tell me what could cause this?

 

[CooperDragon]

Is his beard black or is it most of his body? If it's his body he may be trying to absorb more heat. What are the temperatures in his tank?

 

[DragonDMagnet]

It's most of his body. The temps are around 95.
And I hope so! His eyes are bright and he is very active.

 

[CooperDragon]

OK that's probably all that's happening then. They darken to absorb more light/heat energy. 95 is a little low for the basking site. I like to have it in the range between 100-110 with a gradient down to about 75-80 or so on the cool side. It's important to have accurate readings so I suggest using an IR temp gun like this https://www.amazon.com/Nubee-Temperature-Non-contact-Infrared-Thermometer/dp/B00CVHIJDK or picking up a couple of digital thermometers with probes so you can mount one on the basking surface and one on the cool side to constantly monitor temps. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0017N8W90/ If you can give the temps a bit of a bump he may be able to get the temperatures he needs more easily and you'll see him lighten up more often. They lighten to reflect light/heat when they have enough. They also move about the tank quite a bit over the course of the day to get different temperatures and UVB exposure so it's good to provide plenty of options =).

 

[DragonDMagnet]

OK that's probably all that's happening then. They darken to absorb more light/heat energy. 95 is a little low for the basking site. I like to have it in the range between 100-110 with a gradient down to about 75-80 or so on the cool side. It's important to have accurate readings so I suggest using an IR temp gun like this https://www.amazon.com/Nubee-Temperature-Non-contact-Infrared-Thermometer/dp/B00CVHIJDK or picking up a couple of digital thermometers with probes so you can mount one on the basking surface and one on the cool side to constantly monitor temps. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0017N8W90/ If you can give the temps a bit of a bump he may be able to get the temperatures he needs more easily and you'll see him lighten up more often. They lighten to reflect light/heat when they have enough. They also move about the tank quite a bit over the course of the day to get different temperatures and UVB exposure so it's good to provide plenty of options =).

Ok thank you so much! I'll be sure to tell my mom to find a bulb that is higher in tempatures!
And thanks again I was afraid he/she was sick. I'm also trying to find out my beardies gender and I believe he is a she. 8) 8)

 

[CooperDragon]

Try this https://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=204533

 

[DragonDMagnet]

Try this https://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=204533

Ok thanks I'll do it when I get the chance!