changing color

[MusikalMadness]

This morning I woke up and Zakhari was laying wide awake on his log under the heat lamp by his basking spot. His color shocked be because he is usually a really bright yellow, but this morning he looked dark brown, his beard looked like it was turning black, and he had prominent stress marks.

Usually in the morning I find him on the cool side of the tank sleeping with a clear belly.

I don't know why he could have been so irritated. When I picked him up and stroked him his color started to brighten a little and the stress marks were disappearing.

It scared me so much! Why do you think his color in general became so dark overnight?

 

[Ethelia]

Hello there,

Beardies often darken their colours when they are absorbing heat.
Are you monitoring your night time temperatures? It could be that they dropped lower than he liked which is why he was dark and bearded in the morning.

Holly

 

[MusikalMadness]

Hello there,

Beardies often darken their colours when they are absorbing heat.
Are you monitoring your night time temperatures? It could be that they dropped lower than he liked which is why he was dark and bearded in the morning.

Holly

Night time temperatures are generally 95-100 on the warm side and 75-80 on the cool side.

 

[peera]

Night temps should be allowed to become significantly lower than day temps. Between 60-70* is perfect for nighttime. Think about it, it doesn't stay hot 24/7 in the desert, why would you keep the temps that high at night? Not only that, but HOW are you keeping them up that high? Are you keeping lights on? Any light in their home at night will irritate them.

 

[MusikalMadness]

Night temps should be allowed to become significantly lower than day temps. Between 60-70* is perfect for nighttime. Think about it, it doesn't stay hot 24/7 in the desert, why would you keep the temps that high at night? Not only that, but HOW are you keeping them up that high? Are you keeping lights on? Any light in their home at night will irritate them.

I have a red heat bulb that I keep on low. And correction: they are about 80-90 on the warm side and 60-70 on the cool.

I have a cave in his viv that he usually sleeps in.

 

[peera]

Red night bulbs aren't recommended for dragons because they can see red light unlike other reptiles. You should think about changing it out for a CHE if you really need it at night.