brumation vs breading

[katclark]

My 4 yr old female beardie Adda-Linda has not gone into a proper brumation, but appears to be slowing down. When would be the best time to introduce her to a male beardie. She is an absolute doll and very much a time waster. She likes to travel around in the pouch of my hoodie jacket and demands to be taken out of her tank. By giving in to her demands am I hindering her brumation time. Finally, Adda-Linda has the latest substrate with calcium, proper lighting and uv. A large glass tank with curtaining on the outside.

 

[Tigg]

Welcome to BD.org!

Normally during brumation, there wouldn't be much demand to come out of her enclosure at all, rather she would just want to sleep. And this late in the year I would expect her to be well out of brumation by now.

As for your set up, I don't want to go off on a tangent about the dangers of using calci sand, but I would strongly reccomend you read this article...
http://www.herpcenter.com/reptile-diseases/calcium-sand-dangers.html

Also can you list what brand and wattage of UVA, and UVB lights you use?

 

[katclark]

Thank you reply,
Adda-Linda is in a 50gal tank with SunGlo heat lamp 120v 100w on from 9:00am-9:00pm and 8.0 uvb 18/43.74 15w.(exoterra) I was told to use a heatlamp(infrared) 75w at night. As for the calcium substrate I have it blended with the regular substrate of which there is more of as opposed to the calcium. Should I still replace it, and what would you recommend. I noticed that in the last two nights, Adda-Linda has slept on her tree branch close to the heat source, of which turned off last night, neither did I use the heat glow lamp. I neglected to mention that for about 5 days prior, she was sleeping under the branch for 3 days solid, in a dug out she had formed. She was was cold and I kept checking to see if she was breathing. Then on the 4th day she came out of her sleep abruptly, I'm really not sure, although she appeared disoriented, that is also why I have been handling her just to help her through the confusion. I really appreciate your assistance, btw I read the article you attached regarding the calcium sand, and am planning on visiting our petshop to inform them of the warnings. Thank you, Aleta

 

[coltonl]

no offence but you have absolutely no business breeding if you have no basic knowledge of the simple needs of a bearded dragon!!!!!!! People like you make me very angry!!!!!!! There is no way you did any research towards you beardie if you have no idea any calci sand is bad! :twisted:

 

[Tigg]

I would say to remove it, play sand and calcium sand are still a breeding ground for parasites. And it's still dangerous when ingested. you should switch to a non particulate substrate. News paper, paper towel, non adhesive shelf liner, and tiles would be your best bet, and safest options.

Most times when a reptile becomes lethargic it's either due to husbandry issues (IE heat, light, UVB ect) or an underlying problem or illness.

Has she been "stooling" on a regular basis?
Do you bath her?
and have you ever had a fecal test done on her?
When was the last time you replaced your UVB light?
What are the temps?
What are you using to get these temps?
Is your UVB a coil, compact, tube, or bulb?
How close can your beardie get to the UVB light?

You might also want to look into replacing your Infrafed bulb for night temps and replace it with a Ceramic Heat Emiter bulb, they do not put out ANY light, and do not disrupt their sleep like those red bulbs do.