Beardie irregular eating & not basking a lot. Is this a problem?

[tedbubz]

Hi all, I'm new so still trying to navigate this site. Please bear with me.

So my Western/dwarf bearded dragon is 9 months old and this week he's been eating less and irregularly. He's not shedding as far as I'm aware and seems alert and active.

Monday- 14 (BSFL, black soldier flies)
Tuesday- 7 (crickets, BSFL)
Wednesday- 23 (Wood cockroaches, crickets, BSFL)
Thursday- 22 (BSFL, Black soldier flies)
Friday- 4 (crickets, BSFL).

Also he doesn't bask for very long. Maybe 5 minutes at a time and he goes elsewhere. He probably basks around 5 times a day.

My basking info:

Exo terra 100W bulb distance from basking: 18.5cm (7.28 inches)

Basking platform:
- famidoc temperature gun: 40°c - 43°c (104°f - 109.4°f)
- iPetz digital thermometer: 43°c (109 4°f)

Arcadia desert t5 UVB 24W 21.65 inches; distance from basking: 18.5cm (7.28 inches).

Ceramic heat emitter 100W: used nighttime when temperature drops below 21°c (69.8°f)

Temperature in middle: 26°c (78.8°f)
Tenperature at cool end: 25°c (77°c)

Enclosure size: 120x60x60cm (4x2x2 feet)

Is there a problem with the eating or basking?

I have pictures and more info on my profile. Please help me if you can. Thank you very much

 

[KarrieRee]

Hi all, I'm new so still trying to navigate this site. Please bear with me.

So my Western/dwarf bearded dragon is 9 months old and this week he's been eating less and irregularly. He's not shedding as far as I'm aware and seems alert and active.

Monday- 14 (BSFL, black soldier flies)
Tuesday- 7 (crickets, BSFL)
Wednesday- 23 (Wood cockroaches, crickets, BSFL)
Thursday- 22 (BSFL, Black soldier flies)
Friday- 4 (crickets, BSFL).

Also he doesn't bask for very long. Maybe 5 minutes at a time and he goes elsewhere. He probably basks around 5 times a day.

My basking info:

Exo terra 100W bulb distance from basking: 18.5cm (7.28 inches)

Basking platform:
- famidoc temperature gun: 40°c - 43°c (104°f - 109.4°f)
- iPetz digital thermometer: 43°c (109 4°f)

Arcadia desert t5 UVB 24W 21.65 inches; distance from basking: 18.5cm (7.28 inches).

Ceramic heat emitter 100W: used nighttime when temperature drops below 21°c (69.8°f)

Temperature in middle: 26°c (78.8°f)
Tenperature at cool end: 25°c (77°c)

Enclosure size: 120x60x60cm (4x2x2 feet)

Is there a problem with the eating or basking?

I have pictures and more info on my profile. Please help me if you can. Thank you very much

We can have ahbd help you w/ this
@AHBD

 

[tedbubz]

We can have ahbd help you w/ this
@AHBD

Oh ok thank you!

 

[KarrieRee]

If they are like a regular dragon and the uvb is inside the tank distance should be 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor

 

[tedbubz]

If they are like a regular dragon and the uvb is inside the tank distance should be 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor

I'm sorry what do you mean by regular dragon? The UVB is on top of mesh and is 18.5cm (7.28 inches) from the basking spot

 

[KarrieRee]

I'm sorry what do you mean by regular dragon? The UVB is on top of mesh and is 18.5cm (7.28 inches) from the basking spot

A regular pogana dragon- there are different types like Rankins - Silkies-- some require different temps etc - so the screen will block 30% of the rays especially fine screen mesh -- a wide hole type of screen you can leave on top but the distance would need to be 8-10 inches w/ basking decor directly under it

 

[tedbubz]

A regular pogana dragon- there are different types like Rankins - Silkies-- some require different temps etc - so the screen will block 30% of the rays especially fine screen mesh -- a wide hole type of screen you can leave on top but the distance would need to be 8-10 inches w/ basking decor directly under it

Oh I see, yeah he's a regular one. A western bearded dragon (pogana minor minor). Each hole is 3mm (0.12 inches) . Currently it's 7.3 inches away from basking, do you think I should raise the basking platform then since the holes are not wide?

The basking bulb is directly above the basking spot. I have my UVB placed diagonally but I believe it's directly above. I attached a photo. Do you think placement is OK?

 

[KarrieRee]

Oh I see, yeah he's a regular one. A western bearded dragon (pogana minor minor). Each hole is 3mm (0.12 inches) . Currently it's 7.3 inches away from basking, do you think I should raise the basking platform then since the holes are not wide?

The basking bulb is directly above the basking spot. I have my UVB placed diagonally but I believe it's directly above. I attached a photo. Do you think placement is OK?

I would say the UVB is good --- the surface basking temp is 109? If it is you could drop it to 95-100 juvies and adults like those temps- - your middle of the tank should be in the 90's - and I see hes not basking there for long so its probably to warm for him

 

[AHBD]

Actually he is eating alright, he's a smaller dragon but is getting past the baby stage when they eat a ton. He's not what we call a " regular " pogona vitticeps, bearded dragon. The p. minor's stay much smaller and will eat less. It sounds like he's just doing what he wants and is getting all the uvb he needs. Can you post a pic of him, full body ?

 

[tedbubz]

I would say the UVB is good --- the surface basking temp is 109? If it is you could drop it to 95-100 juvies and adults like those temps- - your middle of the tank should be in the 90's - and I see hes not basking there for long so its probably to warm for him

Got it, thank you so much! I will try that

 

[tedbubz]

Actually he is eating alright, he's a smaller dragon but is getting past the baby stage when they eat a ton. He's not what we call a " regular " pogona vitticeps, bearded dragon. The p. minor's stay much smaller and will eat less. It sounds like he's just doing what he wants and is getting all the uvb he needs. Can you post a pic of him, full body ?

Ooh ok that's so reassuring to hear. Thank you so much!

Here are some photos, do you think he looks OK? He is 26cms (10 inches) currently.

 

[AHBD]

He looks great, a nice miniature version of beardie !

 

[tedbubz]

He looks great, a nice miniature version of beardie !

Hahaha thank you so much for the reassurance! I appreciate it