Brumation

[FfelixalEx]

He went into his cage so early today, like 5, and his lights out aren't until 9. This is bad right?

 

[Beardednoob]

What do you mean?

 

[Claudiusx]

Do you mean he went to sleep?

-Brandon

 

[FfelixalEx]

He was in his cave not basking 3 hours before bedtime.is he sick? I think it's the UVB and I'm gonna chill it on the worms. He's lyin flat on my bed like he's trying to sleep but with his eyes open. The weirdest thing is that he has no stress marks on his belly.

 

[FfelixalEx]

He's just lyijng down flat with his eyes open just chilling.

 

[Beardednoob]

He's just lyijng down flat with his eyes open just chilling.

How long are you keeping his lights on in the day? Are you providing a night light?
I agree no more worms, when was his last poop? What has been fed today?
The best option for baby dragon is pinhead crickets (~1-2week crickets).
At what point are you going to be able to get the Reptisun 10.0 linear florescent tube light?

 

[diamc]

I agree with the others that it would be a good idea to change the UVB asap. What distance is the UVB and is it right alongside a bright white basking bulb?

What type of thermometer are you using and where exactly are you taking the temps?

How often are you bathing him? How often are you dusting with calcium and vitamins?

A baby should not be wanting to sleep a lot and also shouldn't want to go to bed that early so I agree that something is going on.

 

[FfelixalEx]

His lights are on 7 am to 9 pm and he has a night light his last poop was this morning and he had crickets and 5 waxworms I'm gonna get the reptisun 10.0 soon, as in before friday. The UVB is right next to his basking light, is that bad? The thermometer is right next to where he basks on the log and the other one is by his cave on the cool side, I'm using exoterra and zilla thermometers. He had a bath yesterday and all his crickets are dusted, always. And is 3-5 months still a baby?

 

[Claudiusx]

It probably would be better to just keep the uvb bulb off until your reptisun comes. During that time you can take him outside for some natural sunlight whenever you can.

-Brandon

 

[Beardednoob]

His lights are on 7 am to 9 pm and he has a night light his last poop was this morning and he had crickets and 5 waxworms I'm gonna get the reptisun 10.0 soon, as in before friday. The UVB is right next to his basking light, is that bad? The thermometer is right next to where he basks on the log and the other one is by his cave on the cool side, I'm using exoterra and zilla thermometers. He had a bath yesterday and all his crickets are dusted, always. And is 3-5 months still a baby?

Okay, 3-5 months would be a juvenile (hmm think you said that before, sorry I just lost it somewhere..). The placement of the UV is great next to the basking light. Are the thermometers a gauge style or digital w/probe? If he has pooped this morning then this is good. Most likely all the mealies are gone from his system. I would pick up on the crickets and keep the waxworms as a treat type feeder. The waxworms can be stored in a refrigerator and last up to ~2 months. It however takes them a while to come back around and start moving again. If they are milky or cream in color then they are still alive. Give them about 10-15 minutes at room temperature before feeding. At 3-4 months your dragon should be eating a lot more crickets (feeders). Somewhere in the vicinity of 50+ a day. Typically feeding in 2-3 feedings a day, each feeding consisting of 10-15 minutes and as many crickets as the dragon can eat in said amount of time. The crickets being fed should be no larger then the space between the dragons eyes. Large or improper feeders can lead to palatalization, choking and or impaction (can be fatal). A younger dragon will eat just about anything that it can get in it's mouth. It is one of our duties as bearded dragon slaves to determine what is best for them.

You are doing a great job, please do not get discouraged. :wink:

 

[diamc]

You might want to think about cutting the hrs back a little bit. Most of us use 12 on, 12 off.

It sound like you might be using the round gauge (dial type) thermometers. If so, unfortunately they can be off by as much as 20 degrees. If you have a Walmart near you, they have the AcuRite brand digital with probe that will give both readings at the same time as well as a humidity readout and it's only about $12.00. It should be in the area where the outdoor plastic thermometers are, probably the garden center. Could you fill us in on the size of the tank and what the wattage of the basking bulb is?

How often are you bathing him? How often are you dusting with calcium and vitamins?

We're glad you found us here and together we can work to help get everything perfect for your little one. :wink:

 

[FfelixalEx]

His tank is 30 x 12 x12 and I dust crix every time I feed them to him and I'm pretty sure the thermometers are right because it's pretty hot in there.his basking bulb is 150 watts 120 volts

 

[Claudiusx]

You can not guess when something as important as temperature is involved. Dial thermometers have no way of reading the actualy basking temp anyways. They can only read where they are placed. And if your hot side is around 100, your basking spot must be frying.

The acu rite is only about 12$. I would consider it as necessary as the reptisun 10.0 is for health.

-Brandon

 

[diamc]

A young beardie is very particular about their needs otherwise they won't do well. The signs you're beardie is showing you mean that he is not feeling well. Most of us here have had beardies for many years, raising them from little babies smaller than yours. We have learned to read their "signs" and have made changes to help them get better and to grow up to be nice & healthy. We really want to help you with your little one.

I put the measurements that you posted in the tank conversion chart and it came up as a 18.7 gallon tank. Since you're using a 150 watt basking bulb, I can just about guarantee you that he is over heating. One of my tanks is a 40 gallon breeder with measurements of 36L x 18W x 18H and I only need a 60 watt household basking bulb to get a basking temp of between 102 and 103. On the cool side, I use a standard 25 watt household light bulb to get a temp there of about 80 degrees. If a beardie is over heating, it can cause rapid dehydration and even heat stroke. The stick-on thermometers only measure the temp of the glass when what you really need to know is the basking SURFACE temp and the only 2 ways to get a good reading are with either an infrared temperature gun or a digital thermometer with a long wire & probe end like the AcuRite mentioned above. As Brandon mentioned, if you're getting a reading on the hot side of 100 degrees, the basking spot has to be MUCH hotter and that is a real concern. If you don't have a Walmart near you, please let us know and we can discuss where else you can get one that would give you accurate readings.

With your aged beardie, it's best to dust his feeders 5 days a wk but only 1 feeding a day with calcium and dust with vitamins the other 2 days a wk but only 1 feeding a day. Can you fill us in on the brands of calcium and vitamins you're using?

How is he doing today? How do his eyes look? Has he eaten for you?

 

[FfelixalEx]

He is entergetic now and his eyes are open and there's non stuff n them. He just ate about 40 crix (xsmall) and his calcium vitamins are repcal herptivite and calcium with vitamin d3.