Cold Side of Cage?

[beardieluv73]

T.J. keeps on going to the cold side of his cage. He won't eat veggies either. He is prob about a year and two months old. We just went on a trip while T.J. stayed at my grandma's house. He's stayed there before and has been fine. He just won't bask. The temp. is about 96 degrees F.

 

[kcarello]

Is the 96 the basking temp? If so ,,,it is too low for him to digest his food. They need a minimum of 98 for proper basking. You say he isnt eating any veggies, what about feeder insects? What are the other temps, hot side and cool side, and what are you measuring them with?
At that age,,,he may be trying to brumate,,although it seems a little late for that...but I suppose it could be.

 

[beardieluv73]

Yes, it's the basking temp. It might be 98 or so. Yes, he will eat insects, but he won't eat crickets. He really likes superworms, but I just ordered some phoenix worms to try out. I don't measure the cool side, and with the basking side I use one of those dial thermometers. And, BTW, he just pooped today, so I don't think it's digestive problems. His poop looked fine.

 

[kcarello]

The stick on dial thermometers can be off 20 - 40 degrees. You need to get a digital with a probe or a temp gun. What type of uvb do you have? That is good he went poo and all is well there.

 

[beardieluv73]

Woah! I never knew the dials could be off so much! I can't check the UVB right now, but will tomorrow.

 

[ryback]

Try the digital probes or a temp gun to get correct basking temp. Try fluids by mouth too if you find the temps to be high. Won't eat if dehydrated and bask temp should range 100-105 for a 14 month old. Cool end you should check as well 78-80 for normal cool end temps. Usually if they stay on the cool end for a long time is the basking temp is way to high on the warm end. Causes stress as well and won't eat much if there stressed. Have you noticed a blackness to your dragons underside. If so those are stress marks and for sure is stressed. What type and how are you using your UVB?

 

[beardieluv73]

I'm using an Exo Terra Repti Glo 26 Watt 5.0 UVB and it sits right next to his basking light.

 

[beardieluv73]

And BTW his poop smells, but it always has, ever since we got him.

 

[kcarello]

You need to turn off your uvb light and replace it with a Reptisun 10.0 tube uvb. Those and the Arcadia 12% are the only two uvb light recommended for dragons. The other ones can cause eye and other health issues. You also really need to get one of the thermometers mentioned and check your temps.
Also, dragon poo does stink,,but if it is extremely smelly,,like run you out of the room smelly,,,and usually it will be runny, not formed poos..these are signs of parasites.
Good luck,
Kelly

 

[Erok000]

Well the 5.0 isnt enuff UVB for dragons, AND.. those reptiglo bulbs are very bad for dragons as well. I know from experience. You need to get a repti-SUN 10.0 or arcadia 12% tube light. Those glo bulbs can make your beardie blind aside from slowly killing him. Once I switched to a reptisun our beardie perked right up.

 

[beardieluv73]

Ok, I'll try to order one soon. I turned his current UVB off. Do you guys know where you can get them cheapest? And I don't see any blackness on his belly. And he just now started basking. I hope he turns out ok.

 

[beardieluv73]

Please, T.J., be alright!

 

[beardieluv73]

Oh, and what is the cheapest price the thermometers come in. There is a repticon here next weekend so if the prices would be better there please tell me.

 

[AHBD]

Try not to worry too much, he's probably going to be just fine ! Keep in mind that this time of year many beardies do go through brumation or semi brumation, so that can also be a factor. Is he a big healthy dragon ? do you have a full body picture of him that you can post ? Keep offering veggies like turnip, mustard, collard, dandelion and squash at least once or twice a week to give him a chance to eat them. If he's already big + heavy you can cut back on the worms and wait until he's hungry enough to eat greens. Right now his behavior may baffle you because he's a young adult and they can slow down on eatig for any number of reasons that aren't always clear. I see you live in Georgia, if you get any sunny days above 70 degrees you can put him out in the sun in a large plastic tote with a low basking log [ but watch, it can get pretty hot even if it's 75 -80 degrees because the plastic absorbs the heat, and stay with him to be sure he can't jump out, unless you can put a screen over ] That way he can get natural UVB from the sun, 45 minutes is plenty for his UVB requirements.

 

[beardieluv73]

Here's a mostly full body pic. And thanks for making me feel better.